Emerging Applications of Nanobiotechnology in Medicine and Health

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 19 May 2026 | Viewed by 628

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Viatris Pharmaceutical Company, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
2. Faculty of Science and Technology, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
Interests: nanotechnology; nanomedicine; green synthesis; cancer diagnostic & treatment; wound healing; drug-delivery; native plants medical applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Emerging applications in Nanobiotechnology are revolutionising in advancing medicine and healthcare by improving disease diagnostics, treatment, and prevention. In this Special Issue, we will explore several areas of nanobiotechnology, aiming to provide comprehensive insights and foster advancements in research and clinical practice. Some of the key topics that might be covered in this Special Edition include the following:

  1. Nanodiagnostics: Nanoscale materials, such as quantum dots and nanoparticles, enable highly sensitive detection of biomarkers, enabling early diagnosis of diseases like cancer, infections, and cardiovascular conditions. Nano-based biosensors also offer real-time monitoring of disease progression and treatment response.
  2. Targeted Drug Delivery: Nanoparticles are designed to deliver drugs directly to the site of disease, increasing therapeutic efficacy while minimising side effects. This approach is especially promising for cancer treatment, where nanoparticles can target specific tumor cells, reducing harm to healthy tissue.
  3. Gene Therapy: Nanobiotechnology enables the delivery of genetic material, such as RNA or DNA, to cells with high precision. This has opened new possibilities for treating genetic disorders by correcting faulty genes or silencing harmful ones.
  4. Antimicrobial Nanomaterials: Nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties are being developed to combat infections, particularly those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These materials can be used in wound dressings, coatings for medical devices, and even in the development of new antibiotics.
  5. Regenerative Medicine: Nanotechnology is playing a critical role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Nanomaterials are used to create scaffolds that promote cell growth and tissue regeneration, which has implications for repairing damaged organs and tissues.
  6. Personalised Medicine: Nanobiotechnology facilitates the development of personalised treatments based on an individual’s genetic makeup and disease characteristics. This approach allows for more precise and effective therapeutic interventions, minimising adverse effects.

Dr. Roshanak Khandanlou
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanobiotechnology
  • targeted drug-delivery
  • tissue engineering
  • cancer treatment
  • regenerative medicine
  • medical applications

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 3262 KB  
Article
Advancing Duodenoscope Reprocessing with Alginate-Coated Calcium Peroxide Nanoparticles
by Adrian Fifere, Cristian-Dragos Varganici, Elena-Laura Ursu, Tudor Pinteala, Vasile Sandru, Ioana-Andreea Turin-Moleavin, Irina Rosca and Gheorghe G. Balan
Life 2025, 15(11), 1643; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15111643 - 22 Oct 2025
Viewed by 304
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Although significant advances in duodenoscope reprocessing have been introduced since mid-2010s—including enhanced cleaning protocols, disposable distal endcaps, and the introduction of fully single-use duodenoscopes—residual contamination and infection risks remain unresolved. Moreover, repeated reprocessing may cause cumulative damage to the polymer surfaces, elevator [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Although significant advances in duodenoscope reprocessing have been introduced since mid-2010s—including enhanced cleaning protocols, disposable distal endcaps, and the introduction of fully single-use duodenoscopes—residual contamination and infection risks remain unresolved. Moreover, repeated reprocessing may cause cumulative damage to the polymer surfaces, elevator mechanisms, and internal channels of the duodenoscopes, making them more susceptible to residual contamination. To minimize the duodenoscope polymer degradation caused by intensive use and reprocessing, new alternatives are urgently needed. In this context, calcium peroxide nanoparticles coated with sodium alginate (CaO2–Alg NPs), synthesized by our group, were tested for the first time as a disinfectant capable of combating nosocomial pathogens while reducing device deterioration associated with repeated investigations and reprocessing. Methods: The disinfectant properties of the CaO2–Alg NPs were evaluated under biomimetic conditions using reference bacterial strains commonly associated with nosocomial infections. In addition, the compatibility of the nanoparticles with the polymeric duodenoscope coatings was assessed after simulated intensive use. The external polymer coating was structurally and morphologically characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results: The nanoparticles exhibited important antimicrobial activity against the reference bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae after only 20 min of incubation. Intensive exposure to the CaO2–Alg NPs did not cause additional structural or morphological damage to the duodenoscope’s external polymers and did not alter their anti-adhesive properties. Conclusions: The CaO2–Alg NPs appear to be a safe and effective disinfectant for the duodenoscope reprocessing, offering both antimicrobial efficacy and material compatibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Applications of Nanobiotechnology in Medicine and Health)
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