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Recent Biomedical Applications of Functional Materials Based on Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS)
Yun-Kai Chang1, Shi-Jie Hao1, Fu-Gen Wu1
1State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Southeast University Road, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|September 16, 2024
Summary
Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles, functionalized via click chemistry, show promise in biomedical applications like cancer treatment and tissue engineering. This review highlights their potential and future research directions.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Chemistry
Background:
- Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) are 3D, cage-like nanoparticles with a unique inorganic Si-O-Si core and functionalizable organic groups.
- Their well-defined structure imparts distinctive physical, chemical, and biological properties, making them suitable for advanced material preparation.
- Click chemistry has emerged as a powerful tool for synthesizing diverse functional POSS-based materials for biomedical uses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in the biomedical applications of POSS-based materials.
- To highlight key areas including cancer treatment, tissue engineering, antibacterial applications, and biomedical imaging.
- To discuss limitations and future research prospects for POSS in biomedicine.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on POSS-based materials in the biomedical field.
- Detailed discussion of representative examples across various applications.
- Analysis of current challenges and future research directions.
Main Results:
- POSS-based materials have demonstrated significant potential in cancer treatment and tissue engineering.
- Applications in antibacterial uses and biomedical imaging are also emerging.
- Click chemistry facilitates the creation of tailored POSS architectures for specific biomedical functions.
Conclusions:
- POSS nanoparticles offer a versatile platform for developing advanced biomedical materials.
- Cancer treatment and tissue engineering represent the most impactful current applications.
- Further research is needed to overcome existing limitations and fully realize the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of POSS.
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