Biological Properties of Nanostructures Incorporated in Polymeric Matrices

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2026 | Viewed by 1139

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Keizo Asami Institute (iLIKA), Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife 50670-901, Brazil
2. Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Academic Center of Vitória (CAV), Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife 55608-680, Brazil
Interests: nanotechnology; antimicrobial resistance; cancer; diseases; drugs; biotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The integration of nanostructures into polymeric matrices represents a rapidly advancing frontier in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. These hybrid systems offer unique advantages for improving therapeutic efficacy, enhancing biocompatibility, and enabling controlled and targeted delivery. This Special Issue of Pharmaceuticals invites high-quality original research articles, reviews, and short communications that address recent advances and emerging strategies in the design, characterization, and biological evaluation of nanostructure–polymer composites.

We particularly welcome interdisciplinary contributions that focus on the interactions of such systems with biological environments, their functional performance, and their potential for clinical translation.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Smart polymeric nanocomposites responsive to pH, redox, temperature, or enzymatic stimuli;
  • Polymeric nanocarriers for gene delivery, including siRNA, miRNA, and CRISPR-Cas9 systems;
  • Antimicrobial nanostructures targeting biofilm-associated infections and drug-resistant pathogens;
  • Immunomodulatory effects and biocompatibility of nanostructured polymer matrices;
  • Polymersomes and hybrid nanostructures for multifunctional therapeutic applications;
  • Tissue engineering scaffolds with nanostructure-enhanced regenerative potential;
  • Natural compound-loaded polymeric nanocarriers for improved bioavailability and activity;
  • Intranasal and pulmonary delivery platforms for systemic or CNS-targeted therapies;
  • Cancer theranostics, combining diagnostic imaging and therapy in polymer-based nanoplatforms;
  • Three-dimensional bioprinting of polymeric nanostructures for customized biomedical constructs;
  • Green synthesis and sustainable materials in nanostructure–polymer systems;
  • Blood–brain barrier-penetrating nanocarriers for neurological applications;
  • Long-acting injectable formulations for chronic disease management;
  • Nanotoxicology and safety assessment, including advanced in vitro and in vivo models;
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning in the design and optimization of polymeric nanostructures.

We encourage submissions that utilize novel methodologies, provide mechanistic insights, or demonstrate translational relevance. All manuscripts will be peer-reviewed according to the standards of Pharmaceuticals and published upon acceptance.

Dr. Isabella Macário Ferro Cavalcanti
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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

  • antimicrobial resistance
  • cancer
  • diseases
  • nanotechnology
  • polimer

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 2906 KB  
Article
Bacterial Cellulose Hydrogel Incorporating Silver Nanoparticles: A Nanobiotechnological Approach for Skin Infections Caused by MRSA and MRSE
by David N. Oliveira, Lara L. Oliveira, Hanne L. R. Q. Macedo, Yolice P. M. Ruiz, André Galembeck, Danilo E. Xavier, José L. A. Aguiar, Luís A. A. Campos and Isabella M. F. Cavalcanti
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(3), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19030409 - 2 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 661
Abstract
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) caused by biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis represent a major public health challenge due to their high resistance and involvement in skin, wound, and soft-tissue infections. In this context, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) incorporated into Gluconacetobacter sp. bacterial [...] Read more.
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) caused by biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis represent a major public health challenge due to their high resistance and involvement in skin, wound, and soft-tissue infections. In this context, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) incorporated into Gluconacetobacter sp. bacterial cellulose hydrogel emerge as a promising alternative therapeutic strategy. Methods: AgNPs and hydrogels were synthesized and characterized using physicochemical and morphological analyses. Antibacterial activity was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) following CLSI guidelines, as well as by time–kill curve assays. Antibiofilm activity was evaluated through the determination of minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) using crystal violet staining, complemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Congo red agar method. Results: The hydrogel exhibited a three-dimensional microfibrillar structure characteristic of bacterial cellulose, while AgNPs showed rod-shaped, oval, and triangular morphologies, with particle sizes of 35 and 59 nm and positive zeta potentials. MIC and MBC values ranged from 6.25 to 50 µg/mL across all tested formulations and strains. Time–kill assays demonstrated significant bacterial population reductions after 6 to 9 h of exposure. MBIC values ranged from 0.78 to 50 µg/mL, whereas MBEC values ranged from 1.56 to >100 µg/mL. SEM analyses confirmed biofilm disruption, cell eradication, and a reduction in extracellular polysaccharides, particularly for AgNPs incorporated into the hydrogel. Conclusions: Overall, the results highlight the strong antibacterial and enhanced antibiofilm potential of AgNP-loaded bacterial cellulose hydrogel against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, supporting its potential application in infection treatment. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop