Cell-derived nanomaterials for biomedical applications

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Living cells are foundational to nanoarchitectonics, enabling bioinspired and biomimetic systems.
• Cellular components possess inherent functionalities crucial for developing novel nanomaterials.
• Nature-derived materials present significant opportunities for therapeutic biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the capabilities of living cells in nanoarchitectonics for biomedical applications.
• To explore the use of animal and plant cell components in creating advanced nanomaterials.
• To highlight the potential of cell membrane-coated nanoparticles and plant-synthesized nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

• Review of cellular anatomy and functionalities relevant to nanoarchitectonics.
• Analysis of cell membrane properties, including red blood cells and neutrophils, for nanoparticle cloaking.
• Exploration of plant cell capabilities in synthesizing various nanoparticles, focusing on photosynthetic systems.

Main Results:

• Cell membranes (e.g., red blood cells, neutrophils) can cloak inorganic nanoparticles, preventing immune elimination and enabling tailored functionalities.
• Plant cells synthesize diverse nanoparticles (metal, carbon-based, polymer) with applications in antimicrobials and antioxidants.
• The photosynthetic system, particularly thylakoids and chlorophyll, offers versatile components for nanoparticle synthesis.

Conclusions:

• Living cells provide remarkable platforms for developing sophisticated bioinspired and biomimetic nanoarchitectonic systems.
• Engineered cell membrane-coated nanoparticles and plant-derived nanoparticles hold vast potential for therapeutic biomedical uses.
• Despite synthesis challenges, nature-derived nanoarchitectonics offer endless possibilities for future research and development.