Atomic Engineering of Single-Atom Nanozymes for Biomedical Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Catalysis

Background:

• Single-atom nanozymes (SAzymes) exhibit uniformly dispersed active sites and engineered coordination structures.
• Their precise atomic-level microstructure is crucial for designing targeted SAzymes with specific functions.
• SAzymes present exceptional catalytic prowess, opening new avenues in the biomedical field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize strategies for designing SAzymes and their impact on biocatalytic reactivity.
• To explore the biological applications of SAzymes in various therapeutic and diagnostic areas.
• To provide insights into the design, regulation, and future prospects of SAzymes for biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Discussion and summarization of three key SAzyme design strategies.
• Analysis of factors influencing enzyme-like catalytic activity, including carrier choice, synthesis methods, and coordination environment.
• Compilation and categorization of SAzyme applications based on underlying mechanisms.

Main Results:

• The review details how carrier selection, synthesis techniques, and coordination shell modulation affect SAzyme reactivity.
• It highlights the influence of metal active center type and number on catalytic performance.
• Biological applications of SAzymes in tumor therapy, biosensing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory contexts are summarized.

Conclusions:

• Tuning SAzyme microstructure is essential for optimizing their catalytic activity and biological functions.
• SAzymes demonstrate significant potential across a spectrum of biomedical applications.
• Further research into SAzyme design and regulation will unlock their full potential in medicine.