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Updated: Feb 1, 2026
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Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier
Published on: February 8, 2017
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Recent advances in nanoengineering cellulose for cargo delivery.
Amir Sheikhi1, Joel Hayashi1, James Eichenbaum1
1Department of Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, 410 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California - Los Angeles, 570 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Summary
Naturally derived nanocelluloses, including bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), offer sustainable platforms for drug delivery. Engineering these nanomaterials enhances their capacity for loading and releasing diverse bioactive molecules.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic materials in biomedicine and environmental applications.
- Cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer, offers biocompatibility, biorenewability, and sustainability.
- Nanoengineering cellulose structures yields versatile nanomaterials like bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in nanoengineering cellulose crystals and fibrils for drug delivery vehicles.
- To explore the development of nanocellulose-based platforms for targeted delivery of bioactive cargos.
- To highlight the role of surface property engineering in optimizing nanocellulose delivery systems.
Main Methods:
- Nanoengineering of cellulose fibers from plant cell walls and microorganisms.
- Chemical and mechanical treatments to produce cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF).
- Surface modification of nanocelluloses to control cargo binding and release properties.
Main Results:
- Development of diverse nanocellulose vehicles including nanoparticles, hydrogels, aerogels, films, coatings, capsules, and membranes.
- Demonstrated ability of nanocelluloses to bind and deliver various bioactive cargos like drugs, proteins, and nanoparticles.
- Surface engineering significantly influences loading/release kinetics, stability, toxicity, and biodegradability.
Conclusions:
- Engineered nanocelluloses provide advanced, sustainable platforms for effective delivery of bioactive molecules.
- The versatility of nanocellulose structures allows for tailored design of delivery systems for specific applications.
- Further research into nanocellulose engineering promises innovative solutions in nanomedicine and beyond.
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