The dramatic increase in antimicrobial resistance for pathogenic bacteria constitutes a key threat to human health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently stated that the world ...is on the verge of entering the "post-antibiotic era", one where more people will die from bacterial infections than from cancer. Recently, nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as new tools that can be used to combat deadly bacterial infections. Nanoparticle-based strategies can overcome the barriers faced by traditional antimicrobials, including antibiotic resistance. In this tutorial review, we have highlighted multiple nanoparticle-based approaches to eliminate bacterial infections, providing crucial insight into the design of elements that play critical roles in creating antimicrobial nanotherapeutics. In particular, we have focused on the pivotal role played by NP-surface functionality in designing nanomaterials as self-therapeutic agents and delivery vehicles for antimicrobial cargo.
Array‐based sensor “chemical nose/tongue” platforms are inspired by the mammalian olfactory system. Multiple sensor elements in these devices selectively interact with target analytes, producing a ...distinct pattern of response and enabling analyte identification. This approach offers unique opportunities relative to “traditional” highly specific sensor elements such as antibodies. Array‐based sensors excel at distinguishing small changes in complex mixtures, and this capability is being leveraged for chemical biology studies and clinical pathology, enabled by a diverse toolkit of new molecular, bioconjugate and nanomaterial technologies. Innovation in the design and analysis of arrays provides a robust set of tools for advancing biomedical goals, including precision medicine.
Smelling diseases: Array‐based sensor “chemical nose” platforms are inspired by the mammalian olfactory system. Multiple sensor elements in these devices selectively interact with target analytes, producing a distinct pattern of response. Innovation in the design and analysis of arrays provides a robust set of tools for advancing biomedical goals, including precision medicine.
Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections arising from acquired resistance and/or through biofilm formation necessitate the development of innovative 'outside of the box' therapeutics. ...Nanomaterial-based therapies are promising tools to combat bacterial infections that are difficult to treat, featuring the capacity to evade existing mechanisms associated with acquired drug resistance. In addition, the unique size and physical properties of nanomaterials give them the capability to target biofilms, overcoming recalcitrant infections. In this Review, we highlight the general mechanisms by which nanomaterials can be used to target bacterial infections associated with acquired antibiotic resistance and biofilms. We emphasize design elements and properties of nanomaterials that can be engineered to enhance potency. Lastly, we present recent progress and remaining challenges for widespread clinical implementation of nanomaterials as antimicrobial therapeutics.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to the environment and health. AMR rapidly invalidates conventional antibiotics, and antimicrobial nanomaterials have been increasingly ...explored as alternatives. Interestingly, several antimicrobial nanomaterials show AMR‐independent antimicrobial effects without detectable new resistance and have therefore been suggested to prevent AMR evolution. In contrast, some are found to trigger the evolution of AMR. Given these seemingly conflicting findings, a timely discussion of the two faces of antimicrobial nanomaterials is urgently needed. This review systematically compares the killing mechanisms and structure‐activity relationships of antibiotics and antimicrobial nanomaterials. We then focus on nano‐microbe interactions to elucidate the impacts of molecular initiating events on AMR evolution. Finally, we provide an outlook on future antimicrobial nanomaterials and propose design principles for the prevention of AMR evolution.
This review focuses on the impacts of antimicrobial nanomaterials on the evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The relationships among nanomaterial structures, bactericidal effects and AMR evolution are thoroughly discussed to summarize the design principles of desired antimicrobial nanomaterials for the prevention of AMR spread.
Nanotechnology has the potential to circumvent several drawbacks of conventional therapeutic formulations. In fact, significant strides have been made towards the application of engineered ...nanomaterials for the treatment of cancer with high specificity, sensitivity and efficacy. Tailor-made nanomaterials functionalized with specific ligands can target cancer cells in a predictable manner and deliver encapsulated payloads effectively. Moreover, nanomaterials can also be designed for increased drug loading, improved half-life in the body, controlled release, and selective distribution by modifying their composition, size, morphology, and surface chemistry. To date, polymeric nanomaterials, metallic nanoparticles, carbon-based materials, liposomes, and dendrimers have been developed as smart drug delivery systems for cancer treatment, demonstrating enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles over conventional formulations due to their nanoscale size and unique physicochemical characteristics. The data present in the literature suggest that nanotechnology will provide next-generation platforms for cancer management and anticancer therapy. Therefore, in this critical review, we summarize a range of nanomaterials which are currently being employed for anticancer therapies and discuss the fundamental role of their physicochemical properties in cancer management. We further elaborate on the topical progress made to date toward nanomaterial engineering for cancer therapy, including current strategies for drug targeting and release for efficient cancer administration. We also discuss issues of nanotoxicity, which is an often-neglected feature of nanotechnology. Finally, we attempt to summarize the current challenges in nanotherapeutics and provide an outlook on the future of this important field.
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are important components for biomedical applications. AuNPs have been widely employed for diagnostics, and have seen increasing use in the area of therapeutics. In this ...mini-review, we present fabrication strategies for AuNPs and highlight a selection of recent applications of these materials in bionanotechnology.
•Physicochemical properties of NPs affect interactions with innate immune system.•Engineered NPs are effective for immunomodulation.•Immunotoxicity assays of NPs are challenging.
Engineered ...nanoparticles (NPs) have broad applications in industry and nanomedicine. When NPs enter the body, interactions with the immune system are unavoidable. The innate immune system, a non-specific first line of defense against potential threats to the host, immediately interacts with introduced NPs and generates complicated immune responses. Depending on their physicochemical properties, NPs can interact with cells and proteins to stimulate or suppress the innate immune response, and similarly activate or avoid the complement system. NPs size, shape, hydrophobicity and surface modification are the main factors that influence the interactions between NPs and the innate immune system. In this review, we will focus on recent reports about the relationship between the physicochemical properties of NPs and their innate immune response, and their applications in immunotherapy.
Control of interactions between nanoparticles and biosystems is essential for the effective utilization of these materials in biomedicine. A wide variety of nanoparticle surface structures have been ...developed for imaging, sensing, and delivery applications. In this research Highlight, we will emphasize advances in tailoring nanoparticle interfaces for implementation in nanomedicine.
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are a suitable platform for development of efficient delivery systems. AuNPs can be easily synthesized, functionalized, and are biocompatible. The tunability of the AuNP ...monolayer allows for complete control of surface properties for targeting and stability/release using these nanocarriers. This review will discuss several delivery strategies utilizing AuNPs.
Gold nanoparticles provide effective platforms for drug delivery via multiple controlled release strategies due to their stability, tunable monolayers, functional flexibility, and low toxicity. Display omitted
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