This book examines the interactions of nanomaterials with the biological system. The chapters of the book explore the natural and synthetic biomaterials that modulate immune responses for their applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Further, the book discusses the implications of the physiochemical properties of nanoparticles and their microenvironment on their interactions with biological systems. The chapters also present the recognitive capabilities of biomaterials for the development of novel strategies for the detection and treatment of autoimmune disorders. The book also introduces nanotechnology platforms for drug delivery and highlights current and emerging nanotechnologies that could enable novel classes of therapeutics. Towards the end, the book reviews the efficiency of drug-loaded nanoparticles in modulating the functioning of the biological milieu for improved disease treatment. Lastly, the book outlines the ethical issues regarding the use of nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo applications. Given its scope, it is a valuable resource for graduate students and researchers interested in understanding the biomedical applications of nanoparticles and their interactions with the biological milieu.

This book examines the interactions of nanomaterials with the biological system. The chapters of the book explore the natural and synthetic biomaterials that modulate immune responses for their applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Further, the book discusses the implications of the physiochemical properties of nanoparticles and their microenvironment on their interactions with biological systems. The chapters also present the recognitive capabilities of biomaterials for the development of novel strategies for the detection and treatment of autoimmune disorders. The book also introduces nanotechnology platforms for drug delivery and highlights current and emerging nanotechnologies that could enable novel classes of therapeutics. Towards the end, the book reviews the efficiency of drug-loaded nanoparticles in modulating the functioning of the biological milieu for improved disease treatment. Lastly, the book outlines the ethical issues regarding the use of nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo applications. Given its scope, it is a valuable resource for graduate students and researchers interested in understanding the biomedical applications of nanoparticles and their interactions with the biological milieu.

MICROBIAL INTERACTIONS AT NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY INTERFACES This book covers a wide range of topics including synthesis of nanomaterials with specific size, shape, and properties, structure-function relationships, tailoring the surface of nanomaterials for improving the properties, interaction of nanomaterials with proteins/microorganism/eukaryotic cells, and applications in different sectors. This book also provides a strong foundation for researchers who are interested to venture into developing functionalized nanomaterials for any biological applications in their research. Practical concepts such as modelling nanomaterials, and simulating the molecular interactions with biomolecules, transcriptomic or genomic approaches, advanced imaging techniques to investigate the functionalization of nanomaterials/interaction of nanomaterials with biomolecules and microorganisms are some of the chapters that offer significant benefits to the researchers.

In recent years, the fabrication of nanomaterials and exploration of their properties have attracted the attention of various scientific disciplines such as biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering. Although nanoparticulate systems are of significant interest in various scientific and technological areas, there is little known about the safety of these nanoscale objects. It has now been established that the surfaces of nanoparticles are immediately covered by biomolecules (e.g. proteins, ions, and enzymes) upon their entrance into a biological medium. This interaction with the biological medium modulates the surface of the nanoparticles, conferring a “biological identity” to their surfaces (referred to as a “corona”), which determines the subsequent cellular/tissue responses. The new interface between the nanoparticles and the biological medium/proteins, called “bio-nano interface,” has been very rarely studied in detail to date, though the interest in this topic is rapidly growing. In this book, the importance of the physiochemical characteristics of nanoparticles for the properties of the protein corona is discussed in detail, followed by comprehensive descriptions of the methods for assessing the protein-nanoparticle interactions. The advantages and limitations of available corona evaluation methods (e.g. spectroscopy methods, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, and differential centrifugal sedimentation) are examined in detail, followed by a discussion of the possibilities for enhancing the current methods and a call for new techniques. Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages of protein-nanoparticle interaction phenomena are explored and discussed, with a focus on the biological impacts.

This first book on this important and emerging topic presents an overview of the very latest results obtained in single-chain polymer nanoparticles obtained by folding synthetic single polymer chains, painting a complete picture from synthesis via characterization to everyday applications. The initial chapters describe the synthetics methods as well as the molecular simulation of these nanoparticles, while subsequent chapters discuss the analytical techniques that are applied to characterize them, including size and structural characterization as well as scattering techniques. The final chapters are then devoted to the practical applications in nanomedicine, sensing, catalysis and several other uses, concluding with a look at the future for such nanoparticles. Essential reading for polymer and materials scientists, materials engineers, biochemists as well as environmental chemists.

The immune system has the double role of maintaining tissue integrity and homeostasis and of protecting the organism from possible dangers, from invading pathogens to environmentally-borne dangerous chemicals. New chemicals recognisable by the immune system are engineered nanomaterials/ nanoparticles, new agents in our environment that are becoming common due to their presence in many products, from constructions and building material (e.g., solar cells, pigments and paints, tilesand masonry materials) to daily products (e.g., food packaging, cosmetics, and cigarettes). Human beings can be accidentally exposed to engineered nanomaterials when these are released from products containing them or during production in workplaces. Furthermore, intentional exposure occurs in medicine, as engineered nanoparticles are used as tools for improving delivery of drugs and vaccines, vaccine adjuvants and contrast agents in therapeutic, preventive and diagnostic strategies. Nanoparticles that come in contact with the immune system after unintentional exposure need to be eliminated from the organism as they represent a potential threat. In this case, however, due to their peculiar characteristics of size, shape, surface charge and persistence, nanoparticles may elicit undesirable reactions and have detrimental effects on the immune system, such as cytotoxicity, inflammation, anaphylaxis, immunosuppression. Conversely, nanomedicines need to escape immune recognition/elimination and must persist in the organism long enough for reaching their target and exerting their beneficial effects. Immune cells and molecules at the body surface (airway and digestive mucosae, skin) are the first that come in contact with nanomaterials upon accidental exposure, while immune effectors in blood are those that more easily come in contact with nanomedical products. Thus, evaluating the interaction of the immune system with nanoparticles/nanomaterials is a topic of key importance both in nanotoxicology and in nanomedicine. Immuno-nanosafety studies consider both accidental exposure to nanoparticles, which may occur by skin contact, ingestion or inhalation (at doses and with a frequency that are not known), and medical exposure, which takes place with a defined administration schedule (route, dose, frequency). Many studies focus on the interaction between the immune system and nanoparticles that, for medical purposes, have been specifically modified to stimulate immunity or to avoid immune recognition, as in the case of vaccine carriers/adjuvants or drug delivery systems, respectively. The aims of this Research Topic is to provide an overview of recent strategies: 1.for assessing the immunosafety of engineered nanomaterials/nanoparticles, in particular in terms of activation of inflammatory responses, such as complement activation and allergic reactions, based on the nanomaterial intrinsic characteristics and on the possible carry-over of bioactive contaminants such as LPS. Production of new nanoparticles taking into account their effects on immune responses, in order to avoid undesirable effects on one hand, and to design particles with desirable effects for medical applications on the other hand; 2.for designing more effective nanomedicines by either avoiding or exploiting their interaction with the immune systems, with particular focus on cancer diagnosis and therapy, and vaccination. This collection of articles gives a comprehensive view of the state-of-the-art of the interaction of nanoparticles with the immune system from the two perspectives of safety and medical use, and aims at providing immunologists with the relevant knowledge for designing improved strategies for immunologically safe nanomaterial applications.