Models for Self-Assembly of Nanoscale Systems with Biomedical Applications
Paula V Messina, Ramon Rial, Juan M Ruso1
1Soft Matter and Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain. juanm.ruso@usc.es.
Background:
Understanding the physicochemical basis and the different models of nanosystems is nowadays fundamental in a great number of scientific areas and industrial processes.
Results:
Here, we focus on nanosystems created by self-assembly, molecular or inorganic. The organization of single units at these scales is a challenging matter in light of the inherently small dimensions involved, the sensitivity of the system to small perturbations, and the problem of scaling up such a process for widespread use and implementation.
Conclusion:
This review examines the different self-assembly routes used to create nanostructures in both the equilibrium and non-equilibrium/dynamic systems and discusses their limits and applications. The connection to biomedicine and pharmaceutical design has been emphasized.
