The Interactions of Nanomaterials with Bio-Interfaces: Mechanisms and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Surfaces are the loci where most of the interaction between systems occurs. Despite this is everyday evidence, the comprehension of the fundamental mechanisms underlying interactions is still a far-to-be-closed issue. Many aspects concur to complicate experimental and theoretical investigations: first, interaction arises from the non-trivial interplay between physical and chemical processes; second, contact interactions, e.g. adhesion, electromagnetic and chemical forces, is a multiscale phenomenon, depending on interface features on the macro- to nano-scale; third, interface between system is seldom ideally defined: since boundary confinement, interface reorganization and multiphase adhesion at the contact points often occur. On top of this, experimental investigation has to face the non-trivial problem to access a buried interface with as many techniques as possible. These general considerations also apply when one or more of the interacting systems is a biological material, further complicated by the role of boundary capillarity and surface plasticity.

Despite these difficulties, fast technological advancement allowed, in recent years, new technological applications in the biological area on the micro- and nano-scale, resulting in the unveiling of an unprecedented level of details on macromolecules and cells, pushing forward the frontiers of traditional approaches. The combination between biotechnologies, nanotechnologies, chemistry, and physics opened new strategies and methodologies.

In this issue, we promote the submission of contributions highlighting applications, methodologies, and technical advances developed in recent years, but we also ask authors to put in evidence, in the light of their experience, open/unsolved problems, and future challenges to promote a leap-forward the field.  

This Special Issue will include original research, communications and review articles covering the latest advances in the development and application of strategies devoted cell-growth, signalling and differentiation, as well as nano-scale study of biomolecules down to the single analyte.

Dr. Bruno Torre
Dr. Monica Marini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• micro-nano engineered bio-surfaces
• nanoparticles and nanostructures for analytical studies
• micro-nanostructures for in vitro applications, cell growth and signaling
• micro-nanostructures for macromolecules studies
• specialized materials, functionalization, surface- and bio-chemistry applied to bio-interfaces
• nano-medicine
• protein expression and synthetic biomolecules for diagnostics, including but not limited to MIP, aptamers, nucleic acids