Functional Nanomaterials in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications

A Special Issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923) belonging to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 9703

Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Centre of Scientific Research “Demokritos”, 15310 Athens, Greece
Interests: total synthesis of natural products; small organic molecules for medicinal chemistry; nanolithography; organic elctronics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanoscale materials were not created by humans. Rather, they are the result of successful species evolution in the form of robust structures such as silk and bones or vital nano-colloids (milk, blood). Their natural abundance makes them ideal models for implementation in bioinspired technologies in biomedical sciences and pharmaceutics. In this context, advanced nanomaterials (one-dimensional fibers, tubes, and wires; two-dimensional plates and sheets; and nanoparticles and nanospheres) are widely applied in the fields of drug delivery, bioimaging, tissue engineering, and gene transfection. Moreover, they are used for hyperthermic, photodynamic, and photoacoustic therapies. Moreover, they serve as potent antimicrobials and biosensors, and are ideal building blocks for 3D scaffolds and implant bioprinting. Additionally, their resemblance to proteins has led to the exploitation of their biomimetic pathways.

This Special Issue, “Functional Nanomaterials in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications”, aims to present original and innovative research articles and reviews on the recent trends, developments, implementations, and perspectives in this field. Particular emphasis is placed on nanomaterial functionalization methods and their physicochemical characterization. Above all, the main focus of this Special Issue is on analytical explanations of the multitude of nanomaterial applications.  

Dr. Michael Arkas
Dr. Veroniki Peter Vidali
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanomaterials
  • drug delivery
  • bioimaging
  • tissue engineering
  • gene transfection
  • hyperthermic therapies
  • photodynamic therapies
  • photoacoustic therapies

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3265 KB  
Article
Waterproof Fabric with Copper Ion-Loaded Multicompartmental Nanoparticle Coatings for Jellyfish Repellency
by Bo Wang, Muzi Yang, Ruiqian Yao, Haixia Zhao, Dengguang Yu, Lin Du, Shuaijun Zou and Yuanjie Zhu
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18010047 - 30 Dec 2025
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 1199
Abstract
Background: Effective prevention of jellyfish stings is crucial for human safety during marine activities. Traditional protective methods are often limited in terms of coverage area and duration of protection; Methods: This study designed and tested a novel jellyfish-repellent textile by coating waterproof [...] Read more.
Background: Effective prevention of jellyfish stings is crucial for human safety during marine activities. Traditional protective methods are often limited in terms of coverage area and duration of protection; Methods: This study designed and tested a novel jellyfish-repellent textile by coating waterproof polyester fabric with copper ion-loaded multicompartmental nanoparticles, which repel jellyfish by disrupting their cellular membranes and physiological functions. The nanoparticles were synthesized to enable spatial separation of components, enhance stability, and allow controlled copper ion release. They were applied to the fabric in one step via high-voltage electrostatic spray technology, followed by characterization using SEM and FT-IR. The copper sulfate release profile and nanoparticle adhesion were analyzed. Jellyfish-repellent efficacy was evaluated, along with biocompatibility tests including skin sensitization (Magnusson and Kligman method), skin irritation (Draize test), and cytotoxicity (MTT assay on L929 cells and human dermal fibroblasts). Results: SEM confirmed the formation of uniform multicompartmental nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 2.28 to 3.15 μm. FT-IR verified successful anchoring of Cu2+ ions to fabric fibers through coordination with hydroxyl groups. Drug release tests demonstrated water-triggered controlled release of copper ions lasting over 168 h, with nanoparticle retention rates exceeding 70% on all fabrics. The textile showed significant effectiveness in repelling jellyfish. Moreover, no apparent sensitization, irritation, or cytotoxicity was observed. Conclusions: A novel jellyfish-repellent textile was successfully developed using copper ion-loaded multicompartmental nanoparticles. This textile provides a promising solution for preventing jellyfish stings and contributes to the advancement of protective gear for marine activities. Full article
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Review

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21 pages, 3471 KB  
Review
Nanomedicine: The Effective Role of Nanomaterials in Healthcare from Diagnosis to Therapy
by Raisa Nazir Ahmed Kazi, Ibrahim W. Hasani, Doaa S. R. Khafaga, Samer Kabba, Mohd Farhan, Mohammad Aatif, Ghazala Muteeb and Yosri A. Fahim
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(8), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17080987 - 30 Jul 2025
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 7861
Abstract
Nanotechnology is revolutionizing medicine by enabling highly precise diagnostics, targeted therapies, and personalized healthcare solutions. This review explores the multifaceted applications of nanotechnology across medical fields such as oncology and infectious disease control. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs), such as liposomes, polymeric carriers, and carbon-based [...] Read more.
Nanotechnology is revolutionizing medicine by enabling highly precise diagnostics, targeted therapies, and personalized healthcare solutions. This review explores the multifaceted applications of nanotechnology across medical fields such as oncology and infectious disease control. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs), such as liposomes, polymeric carriers, and carbon-based nanomaterials, enhance drug solubility, protect therapeutic agents from degradation, and enable site-specific delivery, thereby reducing toxicity to healthy tissues. In diagnostics, nanosensors and contrast agents provide ultra-sensitive detection of biomarkers, supporting early diagnosis and real-time monitoring. Nanotechnology also contributes to regenerative medicine, antimicrobial therapies, wearable devices, and theranostics, which integrate treatment and diagnosis into unified systems. Advanced innovations such as nanobots and smart nanosystems further extend these capabilities, enabling responsive drug delivery and minimally invasive interventions. Despite its immense potential, nanomedicine faces challenges, including biocompatibility, environmental safety, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory oversight. Addressing these issues is essential for clinical translation and public acceptance. In summary, nanotechnology offers transformative tools that are reshaping medical diagnostics, therapeutics, and disease prevention. Through continued research and interdisciplinary collaboration, it holds the potential to significantly enhance treatment outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and usher in a new era of precise and personalized medicine. Full article
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