Engineering Microbial Particles for Next-Generation Biomedical Platforms

Microbe-derived particles (MDPs), which include extracellular vesicles, outer membrane vesicles, inclusion bodies, polysaccharide particles, and virus-like particles, represent a rapidly expanding category of bioinspired nanomaterials. With their natural origin, intrinsic biocompatibility, and highly programmable functionality, MDPs serve as a versatile bridge between living microbial systems and engineered nanomaterials. This review systematically outlines the diverse classes, biosynthetic pathways, physicochemical properties, and biomedical applications of MDPs. We summarize recent progress in their use for drug delivery, vaccine design, immune modulation, and diagnostic imaging, emphasizing how bioengineering approaches enable precise control over their composition and targeting capabilities. Additionally, we examine advancing methodologies for scalable manufacturing and accurate characterization-such as omics-based profiling and advanced imaging techniques. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future prospects for integrating synthetic biology with materials science to develop next-generation intelligent biological platforms based on MDPs. This comprehensive overview aims to foster the rational design and translational deployment of MDP-based systems across biomedical, biotechnological, and materials science fields.