The Rise and Promise of Macrocyclic Hosts in Biomedicine

Macrocyclic hosts, possessing cyclic structures capable of encapsulating other molecules and ions, have exhibited unique characteristics in biomedical applications. Having preorganized cavities, macrocyclic hosts can monitor, intervene in, and simulate biological processes by complexing with bioactive substances. Additionally, the framework of macrocyclic hosts can exhibit remarkable efficacy in some applications such as transmembrane transport and antimicrobial. In this Outlook, we expressed some of our personal insights on the distinctive aspects of macrocyclic hosts in biomedical applications, highlighting some examples in disease diagnosis and treatment to provide illustrations. We also discussed the future opportunities and challenges of macrocyclic hosts in biomedical applications along with some suggestions on how to overcome these challenges. Considering the progress we have witnessed in the past decade, we believe that the future of this field is very bright.