Navigating the Nanoverse: how emerging nanomaterials are transforming bioscience and society

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Toxicology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Nanomaterials research has rapidly expanded, creating the 'Nanoverse'—a domain of advanced nanoscale architectures.
• This field addresses societal challenges but also raises safety and sustainability concerns.
• Nanomaterial definitions have broadened, now including particles up to micrometer size.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in diverse nanomaterial classes.
• To highlight the influence of physicochemical properties on biological and environmental behavior.
• To emphasize the need for realistic exposure assessments and ethical toxicological models.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of nanomaterial advances across various classes.
• Analysis of physicochemical properties governing biological interactions.
• Case study using micro- and nanoplastics for exposure and toxicology assessment.

Main Results:

• Diverse nanomaterial classes reviewed, including carbon-based, 2D membranes, and antimicrobial types.
• Physicochemical properties critically influence biological uptake, intracellular fate, and environmental behavior.
• Micro- and nanoplastics highlight the need for robust exposure assessment and biomolecular corona characterization.

Conclusions:

• The Nanoverse is a frontier requiring integrated approaches from material science, biotechnology, toxicology, and environmental science.
• Realizing the potential of nanomaterials necessitates harmonized characterization, scalable manufacturing, and sustainable design.
• Responsible advancement of nanomaterial applications from lab to society is crucial.