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Nanomaterials
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Applications of Nanomaterials in Diagnostics and Therapeutics
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Applications of Nanomaterials in Diagnostics and Therapeutics

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 15336

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gabriele Ciasca

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Interests: biophysics; biomechanics; synchrotron radiation techniques; imaging and advanced microscopy; micro and nano devices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Svetlana Jovanović

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
“Vinča” Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: graphene; graphene quantum dots; photoluminescence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanostructured materials and low-dimensional systems offer great opportunities in biomedicine thanks to their peculiar chemical and physical characteristics. The nanoscale features of these materials allow scientists to access enhanced optical, magnetic, electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties, which holding promise to revolutionize both diagnostic and therapeutic practice. Applications in these fields include, among others, quantum dots for in vivo imaging and hyperthermia; 0D, 1D, and 2D nanostructures for ultrasensitive biosensors; and 3D nanomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Moreover, thanks to the advances in bioprinting and biofabrication, these novel functionalities can be successfully integrated with biological components in lab-on-chip platforms, which will have a large impact on precision and personalized medicine. This Special Issue aims to collect relevant contributions in the field of nanostructured materials applied to biomedicine in diagnostics and therapeutics.

  • Research and review papers on the following topics are especially welcomed:
  • Plasmonic devices for biomolecular sensing.
  • Lab-on-chip devices for point-of-care clinical diagnostics. 
  • Nanotechnologies applied to extracellular vesicles detection, characterization, and production.
  • Nanomaterials for drug delivery. 

Dr. Gabriele Ciasca
Dr. Svetlana Jovanović
Guest Editors

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. 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 2900 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

  • biosensors
  • bioimaging
  • plasmonics
  • lab-on-chip
  • bioprinting
  • drug delivery
  • regenerative medicine
  • hyperthermia
  • photodynamic therapy
  • nanoscale correlated disorder

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3087 KiB  
Article
The Cytotoxicity of Carbon Nanotubes and Hydroxyapatite, and Graphene and Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposites against Breast Cancer Cells
by Tristan Nguyen, Anuj Maniyar, Mrinmoy Sarkar, Tapasree Roy Sarkar and Gururaj M. Neelgund
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(3), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13030556 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1638
Abstract
Cancer is a current dreadful disease and the leading cause of death. Next to cardiovascular diseases, cancer is the most severe threat to human life and health. Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer diagnosed in women. Each year about 2.3 million [...] Read more.
Cancer is a current dreadful disease and the leading cause of death. Next to cardiovascular diseases, cancer is the most severe threat to human life and health. Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer diagnosed in women. Each year about 2.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer. In consideration of the severity of breast cancer, herein we designed the biocompatible nanomaterials, CNTs-HAP and GR-HAP, through grafting of hydroxyapatite (HAP) to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene (GR) nanosheets. CNTs-HAP and GR-HAP have been tested for their cytotoxicity, growth and motility inhibitory effects, and their effects on the mesenchymal markers. All these demonstrated significant dose-dependent and time-dependent in vitro cytotoxicity against SUM-159 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. The cell viability assay showed that the CNTs-HAP was more effective over SUM-159 cells than MCF-7 cells. It found that the increase in the concentration of GR-HAP has inhibited the clonogenic ability of breast cancer cells. The GR-HAP exhibited a substantial inhibitory effect on the cell motility of SUM-159 cell lines. It was investigated that the expression of vimentin (mesenchymal marker) was majorly reduced in SUM-159 cells by GR-HAP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Diagnostics and Therapeutics)
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13 pages, 4997 KiB  
Article
Antiviral Properties against SARS-CoV-2 of Nanostructured ZnO Obtained by Green Combustion Synthesis and Coated in Waterborne Acrylic Coatings
by Julia de O. Primo, Jamille de S. Correa, Dienifer F. L. Horsth, Arkaprava Das, Marcin Zając, Polona Umek, Ruddy Wattiez, Fauze J. Anaissi, Rob C. A. Onderwater and Carla Bittencourt
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(23), 4345; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12234345 - 06 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2019
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for developing disinfectant surfaces as well as reducing the spread of infections on contaminated surfaces and the contamination risk from the fomite route. The present work reports on the antiviral activity of coatings containing ZnO particles [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for developing disinfectant surfaces as well as reducing the spread of infections on contaminated surfaces and the contamination risk from the fomite route. The present work reports on the antiviral activity of coatings containing ZnO particles obtained by two simple synthesis routes using Aloe vera (ZnO-aloe) or cassava starch (ZnO-starch) as reaction fuel. After detailed characterization using XRD and NEXAFS, the obtained ZnO particles were dispersed in a proportion of 10% with two different waterborne acrylic coatings (binder and commercial white paint) and brushed on the surface of polycarbonates (PC). The cured ZnO/coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Wettability tests were performed. The virucidal activity of the ZnO particles dispersed in the waterborne acrylic coating was compared to a reference control sample (PC plates). According to RT-PCR results, the ZnO-aloe/coating displays the highest outcome for antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 using the acrylic binder, inactivating >99% of the virus after 24 h of contact relative to reference control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Diagnostics and Therapeutics)
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18 pages, 4165 KiB  
Article
Parenteral Nanoemulsions Loaded with Combined Immuno- and Chemo-Therapy for Melanoma Treatment
by Chiara Monge, Ian Stoppa, Chiara Ferraris, Annalisa Bozza, Luigi Battaglia, Luigi Cangemi, Gianluca Miglio, Stefania Pizzimenti, Nausicaa Clemente, Casimiro Luca Gigliotti, Elena Boggio, Umberto Dianzani and Chiara Dianzani
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(23), 4233; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12234233 - 28 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1610
Abstract
High-grade melanoma remains a major life-threatening illness despite the improvement in therapeutic control that has been achieved by means of targeted therapies and immunotherapies in recent years. This work presents a preclinical-level test of a multi-pronged approach that includes the loading of immunotherapeutic [...] Read more.
High-grade melanoma remains a major life-threatening illness despite the improvement in therapeutic control that has been achieved by means of targeted therapies and immunotherapies in recent years. This work presents a preclinical-level test of a multi-pronged approach that includes the loading of immunotherapeutic (ICOS-Fc), targeted (sorafenib), and chemotherapeutic (temozolomide) agents within Intralipid®, which is a biocompatible nanoemulsion with a long history of safe clinical use for total parenteral nutrition. This drug combination has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis with the involvement of the immune system, and a key role is played by ICOS-Fc. The inhibition of tumor growth in subcutaneous melanoma mouse models has been achieved using sub-therapeutic drug doses, which is most likely the result of the nanoemulsion’s targeting properties. If translated to the human setting, this approach should therefore allow therapeutic efficacy to be achieved without increasing the risk of toxic effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Diagnostics and Therapeutics)
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17 pages, 3165 KiB  
Article
Iron(III)–Quercetin Complexes’ Safety for MRI Cell Tracking in Cell Therapy Applications: Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Assessment
by Nathupakorn Dechsupa, Panida Kosintarajit, Kanyapak Kamkan, Thanyalak Khanjina, Chonticha Sirikul, Phattarawadee Innuan, Authaphinya Suwan, Nampeung Anukul and Jiraporn Kantapan
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(16), 2776; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12162776 - 13 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1429
Abstract
The theranostic agent iron–quercetin complex (IronQ) provides a T1-positive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. The magnetically IronQ-labeled cells can be used for cell tracking and have active biological applications in promoting cell and tissue regeneration. However, a detailed investigation of IronQ’s cytotoxicity [...] Read more.
The theranostic agent iron–quercetin complex (IronQ) provides a T1-positive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. The magnetically IronQ-labeled cells can be used for cell tracking and have active biological applications in promoting cell and tissue regeneration. However, a detailed investigation of IronQ’s cytotoxicity and genotoxicity is necessary. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the possibility of IronQ inducing cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We evaluated the vitality of cells, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the level of antioxidant enzymes, and the stability of the genetic material in PBMCs treated with IronQ. The results show that IronQ had a negligible impact on toxicological parameters such as ROS production and lipid peroxidation, indicating that it is not harmful. IronQ-labeled PMBCs experienced an insignificant depletion of antioxidant enzyme levels at the highest concentration of IronQ. There is no evident genotoxicity in the magnetically IronQ-labeled PBMCs. The results show that IronQ does not potentiate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity effects of the labeled PMBCs and might be safe for therapeutic and cell tracking purposes. These results could provide a reference guideline for the toxicological analysis of IronQ in in vivo studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Diagnostics and Therapeutics)
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18 pages, 3711 KiB  
Article
Facile Synthesis of L-Cysteine Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dots as a Bioimaging and Photosensitive Agent
by Mila Milenković, Aleksandra Mišović, Dragana Jovanović, Ana Popović Bijelić, Gabriele Ciasca, Sabrina Romanò, Aurelio Bonasera, Marija Mojsin, Jelena Pejić, Milena Stevanović and Svetlana Jovanović
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 1879; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11081879 - 22 Jul 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3202
Abstract
Nowadays, a larger number of aggressive and corrosive chemical reagents as well as toxic solvents are used to achieve structural modification and cleaning of the final products. These lead to the production of residual, waste chemicals, which are often reactive, cancerogenic, and toxic [...] Read more.
Nowadays, a larger number of aggressive and corrosive chemical reagents as well as toxic solvents are used to achieve structural modification and cleaning of the final products. These lead to the production of residual, waste chemicals, which are often reactive, cancerogenic, and toxic to the environment. This study shows a new approach to the modification of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using gamma irradiation where the usage of reagents was avoided. We achieved the incorporation of S and N atoms in the GQD structure by selecting an aqueous solution of L-cysteine as an irradiation medium. GQDs were exposed to gamma-irradiation at doses of 25, 50 and 200 kGy. After irradiation, the optical, structural, and morphological properties, as well as the possibility of their use as an agent in bioimaging and photodynamic therapy, were studied. We measured an enhanced quantum yield of photoluminescence with the highest dose of 25 kGy (21.60%). Both S- and N-functional groups were detected in all gamma-irradiated GQDs: amino, amide, thiol, and thione. Spin trap electron paramagnetic resonance showed that GQDs irradiated with 25 kGy can generate singlet oxygen upon illumination. Bioimaging on HeLa cells showed the best visibility for cells treated with GQDs irradiated with 25 kGy, while cytotoxicity was not detected after treatment of HeLa cells with gamma-irradiated GQDs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Diagnostics and Therapeutics)
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Review

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48 pages, 5577 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in the Label-Free Characterization of Exosomes for Cancer Liquid Biopsy: From Scattering and Spectroscopy to Nanoindentation and Nanodevices
by Riccardo Di Santo, Sabrina Romanò, Alberto Mazzini, Svetlana Jovanović, Giuseppina Nocca, Gaetano Campi, Massimiliano Papi, Marco De Spirito, Flavio Di Giacinto and Gabriele Ciasca
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1476; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061476 - 02 Jun 2021
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4936
Abstract
Exosomes (EXOs) are nano-sized vesicles secreted by most cell types. They are abundant in bio-fluids and harbor specific molecular constituents from their parental cells. Due to these characteristics, EXOs have a great potential in cancer diagnostics for liquid biopsy and personalized medicine. Despite [...] Read more.
Exosomes (EXOs) are nano-sized vesicles secreted by most cell types. They are abundant in bio-fluids and harbor specific molecular constituents from their parental cells. Due to these characteristics, EXOs have a great potential in cancer diagnostics for liquid biopsy and personalized medicine. Despite this unique potential, EXOs are not yet widely applied in clinical settings, with two main factors hindering their translational process in diagnostics. Firstly, conventional extraction methods are time-consuming, require large sample volumes and expensive equipment, and often do not provide high-purity samples. Secondly, characterization methods have some limitations, because they are often qualitative, need extensive labeling or complex sampling procedures that can induce artifacts. In this context, novel label-free approaches are rapidly emerging, and are holding potential to revolutionize EXO diagnostics. These methods include the use of nanodevices for EXO purification, and vibrational spectroscopies, scattering, and nanoindentation for characterization. In this progress report, we summarize recent key advances in label-free techniques for EXO purification and characterization. We point out that these methods contribute to reducing costs and processing times, provide complementary information compared to the conventional characterization techniques, and enhance flexibility, thus favoring the discovery of novel and unexplored EXO-based biomarkers. In this process, the impact of nanotechnology is systematically highlighted, showing how the effectiveness of these techniques can be enhanced using nanomaterials, such as plasmonic nanoparticles and nanostructured surfaces, which enable the exploitation of advanced physical phenomena occurring at the nanoscale level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Diagnostics and Therapeutics)
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