Bioinspired Nanomaterials and Formulations as Therapeutic Intervention Against Cancer and Infectious Diseases

Despite significant advancements against many types of cancer, neuro-, and cardiovascular diseases, challenging medical problems remain. To date, systemic therapy is a common approach to the chronic management of many diseases, including cancer. However, systemic toxicity is a major drawback, thus limiting the utility and effectiveness of such therapies. Hence, this has resulted in the establishment of a new branch of nanotechnology known as bio-nanotechnology; which integrates principles of biology with physical and chemical procedures to generate nano-sized particles for specific targeting. Moreover, the bio-based protocols for synthesis of nanoparticles are both environmentally and economically green as they are based on green chemistry principles and are simple, relatively inexpensive, and can be easily scaled up for larger scale production. However, the conventional chemical methods are often expensive, utilize lethal chemicals, and are comparatively complex. Therefore, synthesis of bioinspired nanoparticles (biomimetics or using biological agents such as microbes/plant extracts for nanoparticle synthesis) has gained much attention in the area of nanotechnology. Bio-assisted synthesis will not only save us from chemical toxicity but also provide more biocompatible materials.

Nanomaterials evidently have a role in combating cancer and infectious diseases, by creating more versatile diagnosis and in therapeutic solutions. Many recent research data suggest that bioinspired nano-formulations are typically well tolerated and less toxic, besides its high accumulation at various target sites. This Research Topic aims to cover biomimetics e.g. tooth-inspired composites, peptide-based nanostructures, and protein-aided fabrication of inorganic nanostructures, together with molecular machines, sensors and nanoscale deformation in biological tissues, and nanomaterials for environmental applications. Further potential of nano-formulations has been realized in the development of targeted /guided drug delivery systems to deliver drugs or other agents at the target to achieve desired therapeutic ratio. Guided drug delivery is often achieved by functionalization of nanoparticles for specific binding or attachment of some traceable molecule (Qdots, Image contrast agents etc). In addition to targeted/guided nanoparticle delivery, other targeting strategies have utilized the unique microenvironment at the site of pathogenesis, such as change in pH, enzyme overexpression and other physiological changes.

Hence, this Research Topic aims to cover the current progress of bioinspired nanomaterials and formulations in the management of cancer and infectious diseases, including diagnosis and medical devices.