Background ntegrating diagnosis and therapy into a single nanoprobe remains challenging for small gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which offer excellent tumor delivery but limited photothermal performance. This study aimed to develop a theranostic probe that reconciles these two functions. Methods A theranostic probe (SGC@AuNPs) was assembled by adsorbing FAM-labeled SGC8C aptamer onto 13 nm AuNPs. Upon target recognition, the aptamer desorbs from the AuNP surface, simultaneously restoring fluorescence via relief of nano-surface energy transfer (NSET) quenching and triggering aggregation that enhances near-infrared photothermal conversion. A complementary strand (CS) served as a proof-of-concept model to characterize aggregation and photothermal conversion efficiency (η), and the system was further validated with purified PTK7 protein and cellular assays in PTK7-overexpressing HeLa cells versus HEK293 controls. Results Target-induced aggregation increased the hydrodynamic diameter to 343.58 nm and elevated η from 14.7% to 66.6% (ΔT = 10.5 °C, 808 nm, 1.0 W/cm²). Validation with purified PTK7 protein confirmed an η of 59.3% with stable cycling. At the cellular level, SGC@AuNPs selectively labeled PTK7-overexpressing HeLa cells (13.29-fold brighter than HEK293) and, under 808 nm irradiation, reduced HeLa viability to 48.1% while sparing HEK293 cells (98.0%). Conclusions This aggregation-enhanced strategy reconciles delivery efficiency with photothermal performance, offering a generalizable framework for smart tumor theranostic nanoplatforms.
A data-driven literature landscape analysis identifies nanobiotechnology as an emerging frontier in medical–engineering convergence. The field encompasses optical, electrical, magnetic, mechanical, interfacial and catalytic technologies that operate at biologically relevant length scales and support sensing and imaging, biointerfaces, human-relevant models and therapeutic intervention. Clinical successes in liposomal drugs, small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics formulated in lipid nanoparticles and messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines delivered using lipid nanoparticles show that translation is achievable when mechanism, formulation, manufacturing, safety and use case are aligned. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a cross-cutting tool for integrating multimodal data, guiding design and process optimisation, inferring partially observed biological processes and supporting quality control. This Perspective maps the technical breadth of nanobiotechnology and outlines a possible set of future directions and cross-cutting scientific and engineering questions for developing measurable, manufacturable, verifiable and clinically interpretable capabilities.
Silica aerogels represent a distinctive class of porous nanomaterials with increasing importance in biomedical science owing to their ultralow density, extremely high specific surface area, and tunable nano to mesoporous architecture. These materials are commonly fabricated through the removal of the liquid phase from a silica gel while preserving the three-dimensional network, enabling precise control over pore size, surface chemistry, and mechanical properties. Such versatility has driven extensive exploration of silica aerogels for healthcare applications, including controlled drug delivery, tissue engineering scaffolds, biosensors, bioimaging, cancer diagnosis and therapy, wound management, and environmentally relevant biomedical technologies. Nevertheless, successful clinical translation requires careful assessment of biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, biodegradation, and long-term interactions with biological systems. Parameters such as surface silanol density, particle morphology, and degradation behavior critically influence cellular responses and inflammatory outcomes. Recent strategies, including polymer reinforcement, surface functionalization, and composite formation with biopolymers, have demonstrated significant potential to mitigate toxicity while improving mechanical integrity and biological performance. This review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of silica aerogel composites for biomedical applications, emphasizing synthesis approaches, structure-property relationships, and functional performance. Particular attention is given to toxicity mechanisms, regulatory considerations, and design strategies for improved safety and efficacy.
Dental enamel cannot regenerate after acid damage. Fluoride merely retards demineralisation without restoring enamel's hierarchical nanostructure. This review critically discusses recent biomimetic strategies for functional enamel regeneration and acid-erosion resistance. Literature on peptide-guided mineralisation, mineralising agents, and multifunctional hybrid coatings was reviewed, focusing on approaches that replicate natural amelogenesis. Self-assembling peptides (P11–4, amelogenin analogues P26/LRAP) serve as molecular scaffolds for oriented hydroxyapatite nucleation. Complementary advances—amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) stabilisers, ion-releasing bioactive glass nanoparticles, and adhesive polymeric coatings (chitosan, polydopamine)—provide synergistic mineral reinforcement and durable surface protection. In situ and early clinical studies consistently show improved remineralisation under controlled conditions, though clinical evidence remains limited and heterogeneous in design, lesion models, and follow-up. These systems enhance microhardness recovery and subsurface mineral deposition relative to fluoride alone, but long-term clinical superiority is not yet established. Biomimetic peptide-mineral systems shift dentistry from passive protection toward active tissue regeneration. AI-designed peptides combined with pH-responsive smart coatings hold strong promise for clinically sustainable, minimally invasive enamel protection.
Background: Fungal infections affect over 500 million people annually, with bacterial vaginosis accounting for 29%. Candida recurrence occurs in 9% of women, and azole resistance is rising, while biofilms and pH imbalance hinder therapy. This study developed tioconazole (TCZ)-loaded PLGA microparticles integrated into a microneedle array patch (MAP) for sustained transdermal delivery against fungal infections. Methods: TCZ-PLGA microparticles were optimized using Box–Behnken design and characterized for size, PDI, entrapment efficiency, and zeta potential, with XRD, DSC, and SEM analyses. The optimized formulation was integrated into a MAP, followed by ex vivo diffusion, in vitro release, skin irritation, and pharmacokinetic evaluations. Results: The optimized formulation (Batch B9) exhibited a particle size of 516.11 ± 1.15 nm, a narrow size distribution of 0.272 ± 0.18, a high entrapment efficiency of （81.60 ± 0.52）%, and a zeta potential of （−7.4 ± 0.23）mV. Additionally, the amorphous transformation of TCZ within the PLGA carrier was disclosed by XRD and DSC studies. SEM analysis revealed that TCZ-PLGA particles exhibited a circular shape. The TCZ-PLGA microparticle-integrated MAP demonstrated no evidence of irritation to the skin in rats. It enhanced drug diffusion ex vivo (1.85-fold compared to pure tioconazole-loaded MAP) and achieved 90% drug release within 12 h. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the TCZ-PLGA microparticle-integrated MAP had a half-life of (3.0 ± 0.59) h and an AUC0-t of 33.30 ± 1.54 μg/mL·h, indicating a steady and controlled release profile. In contrast, pure tioconazole exhibited a short half. Conclusion: The TCZ-PLGA MAP significantly improved drug retention and bioavailability, offering a safe, long-acting strategy with enhanced therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance for fungal infection treatment.
