Biomimetic Nanomaterials II

Dear Colleagues,

The past five decades have seen studies in biology, biotechnology, pharmacology and medicine focusing on genetic and epigenetic determinants. In the most recent years, the overall approach has moved towards a genome/proteome-wide scale. However, it has become increasingly evident that both micro- and macro-environmental signals play a pivotal role in co-regulating cell fate and differentiation, as well as tissue and organ development, thus being involved in physiological pathways and—when impaired—in the mechanisms underlying diseases. Cells are able to sense the nano-topographical features of the substrate they are growing in/on, and a huge number of biochemical cues are involved in the fine-tuning of their differentiation and migration. In addition to the influence of genetic signals, tissue development and shaping are driven by a complex environmental code consisting of attractive/repulsive interactions leading to signaling cascades and cross-talk. Therefore, the development of biomimetic signals is of great help in both (i) basic science studies aimed at elucidating, by fine dissection of motifs and functions, molecular and cellular pathways; and (ii) applied science projects providing humans with enhanced tools for theranostics and drug delivery, regenerative medicine and vaccine development, bioremediation and green chemistry. Nanomaterials are the elective starting point for biomimetics because of their nano-scale and evidence that they can be combined in various formulations to improve and better mimic natural features, providing scientists with reliable tools for synthetic biology and nanotechnology approaches to basic and translational research.  

This Special Issue will attempt to cover recent advances in the design and use of biomimetic nanomaterials in multiple fields of application, e.g., the development of biomimetic scaffolds for regenerative medicine, nanomaterial-based biosensors and antimicrobials, as well as biomimetic nanoparticle vaccines and nano-carriers for drug delivery, including front-end approaches to bioremediation and green chemistry. We welcome the submission of both original research papers and reviews on this topic. 

Prof. Dr. Xianghui Xu
Dr. Yachao Li
Guest Editors

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• biomimetic scaffolds and regenerative medicine
• biomimetic nano-carriers and drug delivery
• biomimetic materials in theranostics
• nanomaterial-based biosensors
• nanomaterials and bioimaging
• antimicrobial nanomaterials
• biomimetic nanoparticle vaccines
• nanomaterials and biocatalysis