**Preface to "Preparation, Physico-Chemical Properties and Biomedical Applications of Nanoparticles"**

The capability to produce nanoparticles in the same size domain as proteins has led to a wide range of applications in the biomedical field, for example, nanoparticle-based strategies for optical diagnosis, cancer therapies, nanomedicine, contrast agents, nano-carriers as a vehicle for nucleic acid delivery, gene and drug delivery systems, and nano-biosensors, to name but a few. The various applications require precisely defined nanoparticle characteristics related to reaction conditions, particle morphology, chemical composition and crystallinity, which can be tailored by fabrication strategy, either "top-down" or "bottom-up". Special attention is paid to "green synthesis" techniques and eco-friendly protocols. To manufacture nanoparticles of appropriate size and form, organisms ranging from primary bacteria to very sophisticated eukaryotes may all be employed. On the other hand, fungi and plant extracts for manufacturing nanoparticles are affordable, readily scaled up, and environment-friendly. Moreover, plant extracts possess the ability to generate nanoparticles with a specified size, shape and content, with high potential to be employed in current medical processes such as fluorescent labelling in immunoassays, targeted administration of therapeutic medications, hyperthermia, and as antibacterial agents.

Even if rapidly developing nanotechnologies offer many benefits, possible toxicity, as a side effect, has to be considered not only to prevent nanoparticle intoxication, but to prepare custom-made health treatments. Nanotechnology has penetrated various fields such as drug delivery and other biomedical applications. Moving these things out of the lab and into the real world is the only way to bring them to life.

Nowadays, the impact of nanotechnology on applications in medicine and biomedical sciences has broader societal and economic effects, enhancing awareness of the business, regulatory, and administrative aspects of medical applications. The selected papers included in the present Special Issue gives readers a critical, balanced and realistic evaluation of existing nanomedicine developments and future prospects, allowing practitioners to plan and make decisions.

The topics covers the use of nanoparticles and nanotechnology in medical applications including biomaterials for tissue regeneration, diagnosis and monitoring, surgery, prosthetics, drug delivery systems, nanocarriers, and wound dressing.

I would like to express my gratitude to all contributors to this issue, who have given so much of their time and effort to help create this collection of high quality papers.

> **Simona Cavalu** *Editor*
