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Biomimetics
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Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 4: Advances in Biomimetic Nanotechnology
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Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 4: Advances in Biomimetic Nanotechnology

A special issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 7306

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ille C. Gebeshuber

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Applied Physics (IAP), Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), Wiedner Hauptstrasse 8-10/134, 1040 Vienna, Austria
Interests: tribology; nanotribology; green technology; positive technologies; systems approaches; complex systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are excited to announce the call for papers for the fourth Special Issue of Biomimetics in the Series “Biomimetic Nanotechnology”. Following our previous volumes, we are once again seeking to showcase important research in the field of biomimetic nanotechnology. This issue aims to capture the latest advancements, innovative methodologies and visionary outlooks in this rapidly evolving domain.

Scope of the Special Issue “Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 4: Advances in Biomimetic Nanotechnology”:

Biomimetic nanotechnology, a field at the intersection of biology and nanotechnology, has shown remarkable growth and potential in recent years. It involves the study and transfer of nature's methods to the human domain, and deals with structures and processes to solve complex human problems. The Special Issue “Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 4: Advances in Biomimetic Nanotechnology” seeks original research articles that demonstrate novel approaches, methodologies, and applications in biomimetic nanotechnology as well as review and outlook articles. We are particularly interested in works that push the boundaries of current knowledge and open new avenues for scientific inquiry and technological development.

State of the Art in Biomimetic Nanotechnology:

The field has witnessed significant advancements in recent years. Key areas of progress include the following:

  • Nanomaterials inspired by nature: development of materials with unique properties such as self-healing, adaptability, and enhanced durability, mimicking natural phenomena.
  • Functional nanostructures inspired by nature: structural colors, hydrophobicity, temperature management, and hierarchical structures.
  • Drug delivery systems: innovations in targeted drug delivery and controlled release systems inspired by biological mechanisms.
  • Sensors and diagnostics: bio-inspired sensors with enhanced sensitivity and specificity for environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics.
  • Biomimetic nanotechnology made with environmentally friendly materials.
  • Energy harvesting and storage: design of energy systems mimicking natural processes for efficient energy capture, storage, and utilization.

Submission Categories:

Original Research Articles: We welcome submissions detailing original research that contributes significantly to the field. These should be comprehensive studies reporting novel findings, supported by empirical evidence and robust methodologies.

Review Articles: Comprehensive reviews that summarize and analyze the current state of the art in biomimetic nanotechnology are encouraged. These should provide critical insights, identify gaps in current knowledge, and suggest directions for future research.

Outlook Papers: We are particularly interested in forward-looking papers that provide visionary perspectives on the future of biomimetic nanotechnology. These articles should offer predictions, emerging trends, and potential new applications that could shape the field in the coming years.

Submission Guidelines:

Manuscripts should be prepared in accordance with the journal's guidelines and submitted through the online submission system.

All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process to ensure high standards of quality and relevance.

Please indicate in your cover letter that your submission is intended for the Special Issue “Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 4”.

Prof. Dr. Ille C. Gebeshuber
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomimetics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biomimetic nanotechnology
  • hierarchical material
  • nanoscale functionalities
  • nanoparticles
  • nanosystems
  • nanostructures
  • nanomaterials
  • programmable materials
  • tunable materials with nanoscale functionalities
  • safe nanotechnology

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 7611 KiB  
Article
Design and Development of Natural-Product-Derived Nanoassemblies and Their Interactions with Alpha Synuclein
by Ipsita A. Banerjee, Amrita Das, Mary A. Biggs, Chau Anh N. Phan, Liana R. Cutter and Alexandra R. Ren
Biomimetics 2025, 10(2), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10020082 - 28 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1095
Abstract
Biomimetic nanoassemblies derived from natural products are considered promising nanomaterials due to their self-assembling ability and their favorable interactions with biological molecules leading to their numerous applications as therapeutic agents or as molecular probes. In this work, we have created peptide nanoconjugates of [...] Read more.
Biomimetic nanoassemblies derived from natural products are considered promising nanomaterials due to their self-assembling ability and their favorable interactions with biological molecules leading to their numerous applications as therapeutic agents or as molecular probes. In this work, we have created peptide nanoconjugates of two natural products, β-Boswellic acid (BA) and β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GH). Both BA and GH are known for their medicinal value, including their role as strong antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and as anti-tumor agents. To enhance the bioavailability of these molecules, they were functionalized with three short peptides (YYIVS, MPDAHL and GSGGL) to create six conjugates with amphiphilic structures capable of facile self-assembly. The peptides were also derived from natural sources and have been known to display antioxidant activity. Depending upon the conjugate, nanofibers, nanovesicles or a mixture of both were formed upon self-assembly. The binding interactions of the nanoconjugates with α-Synuclein, a protein implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD) was examined through in silico studies and FTIR, circular dichroism and imaging studies. Our results indicated that the nanoassemblies interacted with alpha-synuclein fibrils efficaciously. Furthermore, the nanoassemblies were found to demonstrate high viability in the presence of microglial cells, and were found to enhance the uptake and interactions of α-Synuclein with microglial cells. The nanoconjugates designed in this work may be potentially utilized as vectors for peptide-based drug delivery or for other therapeutic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 4: Advances in Biomimetic Nanotechnology)
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16 pages, 5803 KiB  
Article
3D-Printed Self-Assembling Helical Models for Exploring Viral Capsid Structures
by Donald Plante, Keegan Unzen and John R. Jungck
Biomimetics 2024, 9(12), 763; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9120763 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1242
Abstract
This work presents a novel application of additive manufacturing in the design of self-assembling helical viral capsids using 3D-printed components. Expanding on prior work with 3D-printed self-assembling spherical capsids, we developed helical models that integrate geometric parameters and magnetic interactions to mimic key [...] Read more.
This work presents a novel application of additive manufacturing in the design of self-assembling helical viral capsids using 3D-printed components. Expanding on prior work with 3D-printed self-assembling spherical capsids, we developed helical models that integrate geometric parameters and magnetic interactions to mimic key features of the assembly process of helical viral capsids. Using dual-helix phyllotactic patterns and simplified electrostatic simulations, these models consistently self-assemble into a cylinder, providing unique insights into the structural organization and stability of helical capsids. This accessible 3D-printed approach demonstrates the potential of additive manufacturing for research in mesoscale self-assembling models and in the education of complex biological assembly processes, promoting hands-on exploration of viral architecture and self-assembly mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 4: Advances in Biomimetic Nanotechnology)
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Graphical abstract

28 pages, 13826 KiB  
Article
Developing New Peptides and Peptide–Drug Conjugates for Targeting the FGFR2 Receptor-Expressing Tumor Cells and 3D Spheroids
by Mary A. Biggs, Amrita Das, Beatriz G. Goncalves, Molly E. Murray, Sophia A. Frantzeskos, Hannah L. Hunt, Chau Ahn N. Phan and Ipsita A. Banerjee
Biomimetics 2024, 9(9), 515; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9090515 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1674
Abstract
In this work, we utilized a biomimetic approach for targeting KATO (III) tumor cells and 3D tumoroids. Specifically, the binding interactions of the bioactive short peptide sequences ACSAG (A-pep) and LPHVLTPEAGAT (L-pep) with the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR2) kinase domain was investigated [...] Read more.
In this work, we utilized a biomimetic approach for targeting KATO (III) tumor cells and 3D tumoroids. Specifically, the binding interactions of the bioactive short peptide sequences ACSAG (A-pep) and LPHVLTPEAGAT (L-pep) with the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR2) kinase domain was investigated for the first time. Both peptides have been shown to be derived from natural resources previously. We then created a new fusion trimer peptide ACSAG-LPHVLTPEAGAT-GASCA (Trimer-pep) and investigated its binding interactions with the FGFR2 kinase domain in order to target the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), which is many overexpressed in tumor cells. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed critical interactions with the activation loop, hinge and glycine-rich loop regions of the FGFR2 kinase domain. To develop these peptides for drug delivery, DOX (Doxorubicin) conjugates of the peptides were created. Furthermore, the binding of the peptides with the kinase domain was further confirmed through surface plasmon resonance studies. Cell studies with gastric cancer cells (KATO III) revealed that the conjugates and the peptides induced higher cytotoxicity in the tumor cells compared to normal cells. Following confirmation of cytotoxicity against tumor cells, the ability of the conjugates and the peptides to penetrate 3D spheroids was investigated by evaluating their permeation in co-cultured spheroids grown with KATO (III) and colon tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Results demonstrated that Trimer-pep conjugated with DOX showed the highest permeation, while the ACSAG conjugate also demonstrated reasonable permeation of the drug. These results indicate that these peptides may be further explored and potentially utilized to create drug conjugates for targeting tumor cells expressing FGFR2 for developing therapeutics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 4: Advances in Biomimetic Nanotechnology)
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Graphical abstract

23 pages, 16139 KiB  
Article
Bioarchitectonic Nanophotonics by Replication and Systolic Miniaturization of Natural Forms
by Konstantina Papachristopoulou and Nikolaos A. Vainos
Biomimetics 2024, 9(8), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9080487 - 13 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1377
Abstract
The mimesis of biological mechanisms by artificial devices constitutes the modern, rapidly expanding, multidisciplinary biomimetics sector. In the broader bioinspiration perspective, however, bioarchitectures may perform independent functions without necessarily mimicking their biological generators. In this paper, we explore such Bioarchitectonic notions and demonstrate [...] Read more.
The mimesis of biological mechanisms by artificial devices constitutes the modern, rapidly expanding, multidisciplinary biomimetics sector. In the broader bioinspiration perspective, however, bioarchitectures may perform independent functions without necessarily mimicking their biological generators. In this paper, we explore such Bioarchitectonic notions and demonstrate three-dimensional photonics by the exact replication of insect organs using ultra-porous silica aerogels. The subsequent conformal systolic transformation yields their miniaturized affine ‘clones’ having higher mass density and refractive index. Focusing on the paradigms of ommatidia, the compound eye of the hornet Vespa crabro flavofasciata and the microtrichia of the scarab Protaetia cuprea phoebe, we fabricate their aerogel replicas and derivative clones and investigate their photonic functionalities. Ultralight aerogel microlens arrays are proven to be functional photonic devices having a focal length f ~ 1000 μm and f-number f/30 in the visible spectrum. Stepwise systolic transformation yields denser and affine functional elements, ultimately fused silica clones, exhibiting strong focusing properties due to their very short focal length of f ~ 35 μm and f/3.5. The fabricated transparent aerogel and xerogel replicas of microtrichia demonstrate a remarkable optical waveguiding performance, delivering light to their sub-100 nm nanotips. Dense fused silica conical clones deliver light through sub-50 nm nanotips, enabling nanoscale light–matter interactions. Super-resolution bioarchitectonics offers new and alternative tools and promises novel developments and applications in nanophotonics and other nanotechnology sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 4: Advances in Biomimetic Nanotechnology)
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