Since the first nanoparticle-based drugs were approved in the early 1990s nanotechnology has seen a remarkable development. This has led to a whole variety of synthetic nanomaterials, spanning from synthetic polymeric and inorganic nanoparticles to biomolecules such as proteins, RNA, or lipid-based nanoparticles, that are available for therapeutic or diagnostic settings. Nanoparticles are structurally versatile, stable during storage and easy to functionalize. However, while in many cases nanoparticles are biocompatible and biodegradable, they have in some cases found to exhibit toxic side effects. In comparison to free therapeutics, nanoparticle associated drugs have increased bioavailability and improved targeting properties harbouring the potential to overcome systemic, local and cellular barriers. In a near future nanotechnology might allow the manipulation of molecular processes in individual cells or cellular compartments with unprecedented precision.
However, the number of approved nanoparticle-based drugs does not quite meet the high expectations associated with nanomedicine. Despite extensive research, promising results in vitro and in animal models often do not translate well into a clinical application. This translational gap may partially arise from a lack of understanding the physiological and pathological properties of nanoparticles. These are largely determined by unspecific coating of nanoparticles with biomolecules in biological fluids, often referred to as biomolecular corona. The highly dynamic process of corona formation mainly depends on the biochemical, biophysical and structural properties of the nanoparticle and may affect cellular uptake, immunological response and biodistribution in an unexpected and unintended manner. In this respect, the investigation of the principles behind naturally occurring, self-organizing assemblies, including ordered lipid structures or RNA droplets appears worthwhile, particularly within the scope of targeted molecular trafficking.
A variety of techniques are used to characterize nanoparticles with regard to their structures, molecular dynamics and their interactions with biomolecules. However, only an integrative approach combining biophysical and biochemical characterization with cell-based assays and in vivo studies will facilitate a comprehensive understanding of nanoparticle behavior in clinical settings, thus accelerating the transition of nanoparticles from bench to bedside.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions including but not limited to:
• Methods for the investigation of the structure and dynamics of synthetic nanoparticles and the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of their interactions
• Structural dynamics of nanoparticles e.g. solid-liquid phase transitions
• Nanoparticle interactions with biological fluids, cells and extracellular matrix e.g in the microenvironment of a tumor
• Cellular and extracellular nano-assemblies including lipid vesicles and RNA droplets
• Strategies to enhance nanoparticles
• Biodistribution, bioavailability, processing, and degradation of nanoparticles in living organisms
• Nanoparticle toxicology and regulatory approval of nanotherapeutics
Prof. Guillermo Raul Castro holds patents related to this Research Topic.
Dr. Claudia Corbo holds patents related to this Research Topic.
Dr. Sergio Pulido holds patents related to this Research Topic, and holds positions at private companies (Allergytech, LifeFactors Industrial Division, LifeTest, LifeFactors ZF).
All other members of the Editorial Team declare no competing interests.
Since the first nanoparticle-based drugs were approved in the early 1990s nanotechnology has seen a remarkable development. This has led to a whole variety of synthetic nanomaterials, spanning from synthetic polymeric and inorganic nanoparticles to biomolecules such as proteins, RNA, or lipid-based nanoparticles, that are available for therapeutic or diagnostic settings. Nanoparticles are structurally versatile, stable during storage and easy to functionalize. However, while in many cases nanoparticles are biocompatible and biodegradable, they have in some cases found to exhibit toxic side effects. In comparison to free therapeutics, nanoparticle associated drugs have increased bioavailability and improved targeting properties harbouring the potential to overcome systemic, local and cellular barriers. In a near future nanotechnology might allow the manipulation of molecular processes in individual cells or cellular compartments with unprecedented precision.
However, the number of approved nanoparticle-based drugs does not quite meet the high expectations associated with nanomedicine. Despite extensive research, promising results in vitro and in animal models often do not translate well into a clinical application. This translational gap may partially arise from a lack of understanding the physiological and pathological properties of nanoparticles. These are largely determined by unspecific coating of nanoparticles with biomolecules in biological fluids, often referred to as biomolecular corona. The highly dynamic process of corona formation mainly depends on the biochemical, biophysical and structural properties of the nanoparticle and may affect cellular uptake, immunological response and biodistribution in an unexpected and unintended manner. In this respect, the investigation of the principles behind naturally occurring, self-organizing assemblies, including ordered lipid structures or RNA droplets appears worthwhile, particularly within the scope of targeted molecular trafficking.
A variety of techniques are used to characterize nanoparticles with regard to their structures, molecular dynamics and their interactions with biomolecules. However, only an integrative approach combining biophysical and biochemical characterization with cell-based assays and in vivo studies will facilitate a comprehensive understanding of nanoparticle behavior in clinical settings, thus accelerating the transition of nanoparticles from bench to bedside.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions including but not limited to:
• Methods for the investigation of the structure and dynamics of synthetic nanoparticles and the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of their interactions
• Structural dynamics of nanoparticles e.g. solid-liquid phase transitions
• Nanoparticle interactions with biological fluids, cells and extracellular matrix e.g in the microenvironment of a tumor
• Cellular and extracellular nano-assemblies including lipid vesicles and RNA droplets
• Strategies to enhance nanoparticles
• Biodistribution, bioavailability, processing, and degradation of nanoparticles in living organisms
• Nanoparticle toxicology and regulatory approval of nanotherapeutics
Prof. Guillermo Raul Castro holds patents related to this Research Topic.
Dr. Claudia Corbo holds patents related to this Research Topic.
Dr. Sergio Pulido holds patents related to this Research Topic, and holds positions at private companies (Allergytech, LifeFactors Industrial Division, LifeTest, LifeFactors ZF).
All other members of the Editorial Team declare no competing interests.