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Nanomaterials
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Metal Nanostructures in Biological Applications
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Metal Nanostructures in Biological Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Biology and Medicines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 6307

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Barbara De Berardis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Center for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, Istituto Superiore Di Sanita, Rome, Italy
Interests: nanomaterials; biomaterial; physicochemical characterization; risk assessment; nanomaterial–cell interaction; innovative antimicrobial therapies and nanotechnologies
Dr. Maria Grazia Ammendolia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Center for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
Interests: microbiology; bacterial and viral infections; host–cell interactions; nanomaterials; nanomaterial risk assessment; innovative antimicrobial drugs; drug delivery; natural antimicrobial compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metal nanostructures represent a category of particularly appealing materials due to their physico-chemical properties, such as size, shape, aspect ratio, surface area, surface charge, chemical composition, and surface reactivity, which determine enhanced optical, catalytic, mechanical, magnetic, and antibacterial properties or completely new characteristics. These specific and intrinsic properties, along with the engineering ability to modify their surface to carry antibodies, peptides, and other agents, have made these materials attractive for application in drug and gene delivery, cancer therapy, biomedical imaging, tissue engineering, infectious disease treatment, and oral and skin infection.

Synthesis methodologies to produce metal nanostructures play a key role in determining physico-chemical properties, as well as their biomedical application. However, toxicological studies have shown that some metallic nanoparticles can be toxic. Biological methods, such as green synthesis that uses plant extracts and microorganisms, represent a sustainable, alternative approach to producing biocompatible metal nanostructures. The merging of nanomaterials with biomaterials, such as polymeric hydrogel, or other technologies, such as 3D printing, allows us to develop innovative approaches for biomedicine.

This Special Issue intends to present the current strategies to design and develop innovative tools based on biocompatible metal nanostructures for biomedical applications. We cordially invite you to publish your research in this issue.

Dr. Barbara De Berardis
Dr. Maria Grazia Ammendolia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • metal nanostructure synthesis and surface modifications
  • green synthesis
  • drug delivery
  • biomedical imaging
  • anti-infective treatments
  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • tissue engineering
  • wound healing
  • 3D printing
  • risk assessment

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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24 pages, 21982 KB  
Article
TiO2 Nanocomposite GelMA Film as Wound Dressing: Physicochemical, Structural, Mechanical Properties and Antibacterial Activity Against Staphylococcus aureus
by Barbara De Berardis, Raffaella Pecci, Roberta Morlino, Pietro Ioppolo, Marco Ranaldi, Giovanna Iucci, Alessandro Ferrarini, Giuseppe D’Avenio, Giorgio De Angelis and Maria Grazia Ammendolia
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(9), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16090536 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 559
Abstract
Bacterial infections can delay wound healing and represent serious medical problems both in the hospital and community settings, especially skin wound infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. In this work, a gelatin hydrogel modified with photo-cross-linkable methacrylamide groups at 10% concentration (GelMA10%), enriched [...] Read more.
Bacterial infections can delay wound healing and represent serious medical problems both in the hospital and community settings, especially skin wound infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. In this work, a gelatin hydrogel modified with photo-cross-linkable methacrylamide groups at 10% concentration (GelMA10%), enriched with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs), and loaded with Neomycin sulphate was developed with the aim to realize a tissue for wound care with improved mechanical and antimicrobial properties. TiO2 nanocomposite GelMA films with two concentrations of TiO2NPs were characterized to assess physicochemical, structural and mechanical properties by scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDX), micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TiO2 nanocomposite GelMA films showed a more compact structure, reduced pore sizes and a higher compressive modulus at the increasing concentration of TiO2NPs. They were able to absorb and retain water for a prolonged time; however, no significant differences in the swelling degree at the increasing concentration of TiO2NPs were observed. In vitro drug release and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus of TiO2 nanocomposite GelMA film enriched with higher concentrations of TiO2NPs, identified as a suitable candidate for wound healing, were investigated. Both GelMA10% and TiO2 nanocomposite GelMA films loaded with drug exhibited a strong antibacterial action, whereas GelMA10% containing only TiO2NPs did not show any antimicrobial properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanostructures in Biological Applications)
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17 pages, 3417 KB  
Article
Conjugation of Functionalized Gold Nanorods and Copper (I)-Based Drug: An Anisotropic Nano Drug Delivery System
by Elena Olivieri, Simone Amatori, Chiara Battocchio, Giovanna Iucci, Martina Marsotto, Diego Lipani, Annarica Calcabrini, Marisa Colone, Annarita Stringaro, Maria Luisa Dupuis, Giuseppe Ammirati, Alessandra Paladini, Francesco Toschi, Maura Pellei, Carlo Santini, Miriam Caviglia, Jo’ Del Gobbo, Luca Tortora, Eleonora Marconi, Valentin-Adrian Maraloiu and Iole Vendittiadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(3), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16030217 - 6 Feb 2026
Viewed by 715
Abstract
Gold nanorods (AuNRs) were synthesized and optimized with the aim of obtaining strongly hydrophilic nanomaterials, suitable as a drug delivery system (DDS) for copper-based drugs. After careful purification, AuNRs were characterized by ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared spectroscopy (UV–Vis–NIR), showing two typical localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) [...] Read more.
Gold nanorods (AuNRs) were synthesized and optimized with the aim of obtaining strongly hydrophilic nanomaterials, suitable as a drug delivery system (DDS) for copper-based drugs. After careful purification, AuNRs were characterized by ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared spectroscopy (UV–Vis–NIR), showing two typical localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) bands in the range 550–750 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and high-resolution X-ray photoelectron (HR-XPS) spectroscopies verified the surface functionalization. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed AuNRs with regular shape and size, with an aspect ratio (AR) of 2.6. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements confirmed the size and the stability in water for up to 3 months. The AuNRs were conjugated with copper(I) drugs, i.e., [Cu(PTA)4]BF4 (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphadamantane). The drug loading procedures and efficiency were optimized, and the best loading was η (%) = 50 ± 7%. The non-covalent interactions of the Cu(I) complex with the AuNRs were studied by means of UV–Vis–NIR, ζ-potential, HR-TEM, FT-IR, synchrotron radiation-induced X-ray photoelectron (SR-XPS), and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy measurements. The MTT assay performed on Vero E6 cells showed that AuNRs and AuNR-Cu(I) conjugates had no significant effect on cell viability, being biocompatible, causing a reduction in cell viability only after prolonged exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanostructures in Biological Applications)
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25 pages, 4125 KB  
Article
Enhanced Killing of Colon Cancer Cells by Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with Ellagic Acid
by Khaled AbouAitah, Amr Nassrallah, Ahmed A. F. Soliman, Anna Swiderska-Sroda, Tadeusz Chudoba, Julita Smalc-Koziorowska, Beom Soo Kim and Witold Łojkowski
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(20), 1547; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15201547 - 10 Oct 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1267
Abstract
Background: Natural compounds, including ellagic acid (ELG), are promising anticancer agents with low adverse effects. In this paper, we test in vitro the effectiveness of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) as an ELG carrier against colon cancer. Methods: We produced MSNs functionalized with triptycene [...] Read more.
Background: Natural compounds, including ellagic acid (ELG), are promising anticancer agents with low adverse effects. In this paper, we test in vitro the effectiveness of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) as an ELG carrier against colon cancer. Methods: We produced MSNs functionalized with triptycene (TRP) and loaded with ELG, further called MSNTRPELG nanoformulation. The nanoformulation contained over 11 wt.% TRP and approximately 25 wt.% ELG in the mesoporous structure and on the surface of particles. It was assessed for anticancer effects against two colon cancer cells: HCT-116 and HT-29 for treatment with up to 200 µM. Results: Comparing to free ELG, we have shown a three times higher cancer inhibition. The lowest IC50 values were for HCT-116 (88.1 ± 0.1 µM) and HT-29 (77.6 ± 0.1 µM). When treated with free ELG, the values were 187.1 ± 0.1 µM and 300.0 ± 0.1 µM, respectively. MSNTRPELG enhanced apoptosis primarily by activating caspase-3, p53, and Bax while downregulating Bcl-2 in HCT-116 and HT-29 cells. It also inhibited receptor tyrosine kinases (HER2 and VEGFR2). Preliminary Western blot observations suggest suppression of B-RAF, C-RAF, and K-RAS oncogenes, with stronger inhibition by the nanoformulation than by free ELG. Conclusions: This work highlights the potential of MSNs to enhance the efficacy of natural prodrugs, particularly ELG, in cancer therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanostructures in Biological Applications)
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25 pages, 3514 KB  
Article
Harnessing Stevia rebaudiana for Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Green Synthesis: A Sustainable Solution to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens
by Mohamed Tharwat Elabbasy, Rasha M. El Bayomi, Esraa A. Abdelkarim, Abd El-Salam E. Hafez, Mohamed S. Othman, Mohamed E. Ghoniem, Mai A. Samak, Muteb H. Alshammari, Fahad Awwadh Almarshadi, Tamer Elsamahy and Mohamed A. Hussein
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(5), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15050369 - 27 Feb 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2971
Abstract
The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in food products poses a significant threat to public health, necessitating innovative and sustainable antimicrobial solutions. This study investigates the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Stevia rebaudiana extracts to evaluate their antibacterial and antibiofilm [...] Read more.
The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in food products poses a significant threat to public health, necessitating innovative and sustainable antimicrobial solutions. This study investigates the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Stevia rebaudiana extracts to evaluate their antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against MDR Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from sold fish samples. The obtained results show that the contamination with S. aureus reached 54.2% in the tested fish samples (n = 120), underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions. ZnO-NPs were successfully synthesized and characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, and TEM, confirming their formation with an average size of 15.7 nm and reflecting their suitability for antimicrobial and biological applications. ZnO-NPs exhibited potent antibacterial activity, with a maximum inhibition zone of 24.4 ± 0.4 mm at 20 μg/disk, MIC values of 6.25–25 μg/mL, and MBC values of 12.5–50 μg/mL. Additionally, biofilm formation was inhibited by up to 92.1% at 250 μg/mL. Our mechanistic study confirmed that ZnO-NPs damage bacterial membranes and DNA, leading to the intracellular leakage of cell components that lead to bacterial cell lysis. The use of S. rebaudiana in ZnO-NP synthesis aligns with green chemistry principles, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional antibiotics and enhancing the bioactivity of ZnO-NPs, and may address the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance, thereby contributing to improved food safety and public health protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanostructures in Biological Applications)
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