Machine learning for nanoparticle-based imaging: From rational design to precision diagnosis

Nanoparticles have become essential in nanomedicine due to their tunable physicochemical properties and multifunctional capabilities, particularly in biomedical imaging for early disease detection and real-time therapeutic monitoring. Nevertheless, the rational design of nanoparticles with predictable behavior in complex biological environments remains significant challenges. Recent advances in machine learning have created novel paradigms for the precise design and efficient application of nanoparticle-based imaging platforms. This review summarizes recent progress in this area, covering machine learning-guided nanoparticle design and fabrication, elucidating their dynamic behavior in biological systems, optimizing cellular uptake and intracellular delivery, and improving imaging sensitivity alongside quantitative analytical precision through intelligent signal processing methodologies. Overall, the integration of machine learning has accelerated the development of intelligent nanoparticulate systems by establishing critical correlations between material parameters and biological performance, thereby driving innovation in precision imaging technologies.