Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
14:20
Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Biomolecular Interfaces in Targeted Nano-Drug Delivery: Molecular Recognition, Signaling Modulation, and
Zeyu Wang1,2, Lixia Dai1, Zhen Zhu2
1Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project, Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China.
Biomolecules
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Biomolecularly inspired nano-drug delivery systems enhance drug bioavailability and reduce toxicity. This review explores their molecular mechanisms, targeting strategies, and applications in oncology and inflammatory diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Traditional drug delivery faces challenges like poor bioavailability and systemic toxicity.
- Nano-drug delivery systems (nano-DDS) offer precise therapeutic interventions by managing molecular interactions.
- Understanding bio-nano interface mechanisms is crucial for optimizing nano-DDS efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review molecular recognition mechanisms and biochemical principles of nano-DDS.
- To evaluate passive and active targeting strategies for enhanced cellular uptake.
- To examine bioresponsive release mechanisms and structure-function relationships for therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on molecular recognition and biochemical principles.
- Analysis of passive targeting via the EPR effect and active targeting via ligand-receptor interactions.
- Evaluation of bioresponsive strategies utilizing pathological cues (pH, redox, enzymes).
Main Results:
- Passive targeting depends on nanocarrier properties and the EPR effect.
- Active targeting leverages ligand-receptor affinity for improved cellular uptake.
- Bioresponsive systems enable on-demand drug release based on disease microenvironments.
Conclusions:
- Nano-DDS show promise in overcoming traditional pharmacotherapy limitations.
- Structure-function insights guide applications in oncology and inflammatory diseases.
- AI-driven design and addressing translational hurdles are key for future development.
Keywords:
biomimetic nanocarriersnanocarrier materialsstimuli-responsive nanomaterialstargeted nano-drug deliveryMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted
Site-targeted drug delivery systems enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity and treatment costs. Unlike conventional methods, these systems ensure precise drug delivery, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects. Targeted drug delivery is classified into three levels. First-order targeting directs drugs to the capillary beds of specific organs or tissues. Second-order targets specific cell types, such as tumor cells, using receptor-mediated interactions.
01:24Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers
Polymeric carriers enhance targeted drug delivery by increasing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. These carriers comprise a biodegradable polymeric backbone integrated with functional elements that enable targeting, improve physicochemical properties, and regulate drug release.Targeting MechanismsThe targeting ability of polymeric carriers is mediated by a homing device, which is a molecular recognition component designed to selectively bind to specific tissues or cells. Monoclonal...
01:26Targets for Drug Action: Overview
Drugs target macromolecules to modify ongoing cellular processes. Primary drug targets include receptors, ion channels, transporters, and enzymes.
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
01:24Cellular Membranes and Drug Transport
Drugs must traverse multiple biological barriers, such as multi-layered skin, single-layered intestinal epithelium, and the plasma membrane, to reach their target sites within the body. The plasma membrane, a highly structured composite of phospholipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, is the cell's protective boundary, facilitating selective substance exchange.
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
01:30Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Stimuli-Activated
Stimuli-activated drug delivery systems are designed to release drugs in response to specific physical, chemical, or biological stimuli. These systems often utilize hydrogels—three-dimensional, hydrophilic polymer networks capable of swelling in aqueous environments and retaining significant fluid volumes. Upon exposure to particular stimuli, these hydrogels undergo structural transitions that allow the embedded drug to be released. Due to this adaptive behavior, such systems are also called...
00:49Ligand Binding and Linkage
Allosteric proteins have more than one ligand binding site; the binding of a ligand to any of these sites influences the binding of ligands to the other sites. When a protein is allosteric, its binding sites are called coupled or linked. In the case of enzymes, the site that binds to the substrate is known as the active site and the other site is known as the regulatory site. When a ligand binds to the regulatory site, this leads to conformational changes in the protein that can influence the...