Nanomaterials and Iron Proteins: Molecular Interactions, Structural Characterization, and Biomedical Applications
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026
Special Issue Editor
Interests: nanoscale magnetism; magnetic ferrofluids, magnetic/quantum-dot and magnetic/noble-metal hybrid nano-structures; multiferroic nanoparticles; biological iron utilization: biomineralization in recombinant and mutant ferritins; interparticle interactions in core/shell iron-oxide nanoparticle assemblies
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Life evolved on iron, as shown by the ubiquity of iron proteins tasked with essential metabolic processes, involving varied (intracellular, extra-cellular and transmembrane) molecular interactions. This broad iron utilization has inspired the development of biocompatible, iron-based nanomaterials for biomedical applications. This Special Issue focuses on the structures and functions of iron proteins and their synthetic analogues, as well as on iron-based biogenic/biomimetic nanomaterials for biomedicine. It addresses the underlying molecular mechanisms, in vivo and in vitro, enabled by the unique electronic and magnetic properties of iron structural motives as incorporated into proteins and/or nanomaterial ensembles.
We will correlate structural and electronic characterization studies of iron proteins with underlying molecular mechanisms in physiology and medicine (health and disease), as well as explore iron-based nanomaterials with potential biomedical and biotechnological applications, which include but are not limited to protein and cell separation, MRI enhancement, targeted drug delivery, hyperthermia, mRNA vaccine development, biosensing, antimicrobial, and anticancer therapies.
This special issue covers the intersection between physics, chemistry, biology, molecular medicine and material sciences. Articles on basic research (experimental, theoretical or computational), reviews, communications, pre-clinical studies, and editorials are welcome. To be considered, basic research experimental articles should contain full experimental details so that the experimental results can be reproduced.
Prof. Dr. Georgia C. Papaefthymiou
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- iron storage (ferritin)
- iron transport (transferrin, ferroportin)
- O2 storage (myoglobin)
- O2 transport (hemoglobin)
- electron transfer (Fe-S proteins, cytochromes)
- ferritin degradation
- (ferritinophagy)
- oxidative stress protection (ferritin, Dps proteins)
- biocompatible iron-oxide nanoparticles
- magnetoferritin
- biogenic magnetite by magnetotactic bacteria (magnetosomes)
- iron-based metal–organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs)
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