Biofunctionalized metal-organic frameworks and host-guest interactions for advanced biomedical applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) possess unique properties like high surface area and porosity, making them suitable for gas storage, separation, and catalysis.
• Current biomedical applications of MOFs are limited due to concerns regarding biocompatibility, degradation rates, and tissue accumulation.
• Recent advancements focus on surface functionalization of MOFs with biomolecules to enhance their biological compatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review progress in biofunctionalization methods for MOFs.
• To explore the covalent and non-covalent routes for MOF biofunctionalization.
• To highlight the biomedical applications of biofunctionalized MOFs.

Main Methods:

• Surface functionalization of MOFs using biomolecules (nucleic acids, amino acids, lipids).
• Investigation of covalent and non-covalent modification strategies.
• Review of applications in drug delivery, bio-sensing, and bio-imaging.

Main Results:

• Biofunctionalization significantly improves the physical and chemical properties of MOFs for biomedical applications.
• Covalent and non-covalent functionalization routes offer tailored approaches for MOF modification.
• Biofunctionalized MOFs show promise in drug delivery, bio-sensing, and bio-imaging.

Conclusions:

• Biofunctionalization is a key strategy to overcome limitations of MOFs in biomedical fields.
• Further research is needed to address challenges for mainstream clinical adoption of these advanced materials.
• Optimized biofunctionalized MOFs hold potential for next-generation diagnostics and therapeutics.