Nanozymes have progressed from simple enzyme mimics to a versatile class of artificial catalysts that expand functionality beyond the reach of natural enzymes. Their unique compositional and structural properties confer exceptional versatility in catalysis, enabling catalytic function in non-biological environments, the promotion of non-natural reactions, and the integration of multiple catalytic activities within a single nanostructure. By exploiting nanoscale control over physicochemical parameters, and/or emulating enzyme architectures, nanozymes can achieve finely tunable activity and selectivity. Their ability to undergo facile surface functionalization and provide electrical connectivity further enhances their performance in complex systems. Collectively, these attributes extend catalysis beyond the constraints of natural enzymes, driving innovations in an array of different fields including biomedicine, agriculture, environmental remediation, and energy conversion. Looking forward, rationally designed nanozymes have the potential to redefine the field of catalysis, evolving from biomimetic surrogates into transformative materials that rival, and ultimately surpass, the capabilities of natural enzymes.
Historic and ongoing efforts in ecology and environmental science have highlighted the pressing need to monitor the health, sustainability and productivity of global and local ecosystems. Interest in these areas reflects a need both to determine the suitability of environments to support human activity (settlement, agriculture and industry) and to evaluate the impacts of such anthropogenic action. Of interest are chemical, biological and physical factors that reduce ecosystem viability owing to human intervention. Evaluating these factors and their impact on global health, ecological stability and resource availability demands improvements to existing environmental sensing technologies. Current methods to quantify chemical pollutants, biological factors and deleterious physical conditions affecting target ecosystems suffer from lack of automation and narrow spatiotemporal range. Recent advances in materials science, chemistry, electronics and robotics offer solutions to this problem. A vision emerges for fully autonomous, networked and ecoresorbable sensing systems that can be deployed over large aerial, terrestrial and aquatic environments. This Review describes ongoing efforts in these areas, focusing on materials advances supporting the accurate quantification of environmental factors with apparatus that accommodates full or partial device resorption. Discussion begins with an overview of hazards affecting global ecosystems, followed by a description of existing detection methods to quantify their severity. We proceed with an exploration of existing and developing technologies affecting sensor dispersion, motility, communication and power. Finally, we describe exciting recent efforts in the development of environmentally degradable materials that could prove beneficial in the realization of massively distributed (millions of individual sensors) transient sensor networks. Accurate, spatiotemporally resolved monitoring of environments and ecosystems serves as the starting point to both identify and remedy natural or anthropogenic environmental hazards. This Review covers materials science advances supporting a new paradigm in environmental sensing: distributed networks of sensing elements capable of system-level profiling with the possibility of harmless environmental resorption after a predetermined recording period.
Spatiotemporal resolution is a cornerstone of bioelectronics, enabling precise observation and control of biological events at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels. In this Review, we analyse recent advancements in spatiotemporal resolution essential for applications such as neuroprosthetics, cardiac monitoring and biosensing, with a focus on devices utilizing electrical, electrochemical and optoelectronic signal transduction. We define the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of spatial and temporal resolution and highlight high-performance materials and device architectures — including electrodes, transistors and optoelectronic interfaces — that drive these capabilities. Strategies such as device miniaturization, 3D fabrication and multifunctional integration are evaluated for their capacity to improve resolution, particularly within the complex microenvironments of biological tissues. However, challenges persist, including signal interference, device stability and the demand for reliable long-term operation. Overcoming these obstacles requires continuous innovation in materials science, device engineering and computational approaches. Enhanced spatiotemporal resolution holds promise for advancing diagnostic precision, therapeutic responsiveness and our understanding of dynamic biological systems across biomedical disciplines. High spatiotemporal resolution is essential for next-generation bioelectronics, enabling precise biological monitoring and control. This Review highlights recent advances in electrical, electrochemical and optoelectronic devices, discussing key materials, architectures and strategies to enhance resolution and address critical biomedical challenges.
The engineering of therapeutic living cells through genetic programming is poised to transform medicine. Diverse living medicines, including mammalian cells, fungi, bacteria and viruses, are under development. However, for these medicines to progress in the clinic, new strategies are needed to successfully deliver them into the body. Unlike conventional small-molecule and protein-based biologics, living medicines present distinct challenges for delivery, including the need to maintain viability, control replication, manage metabolism and mitigate immunogenicity. This Review focuses on delivery strategies for living medicines, identifying key challenges and efforts to overcome them. We survey clinically adopted biomaterial strategies for delivering conventional drugs and explore how these approaches can be tailored for living medicines. Finally, we discuss remaining challenges and future directions towards next-generation living medicine delivery. As the field of engineered therapeutic living cells advances, new strategies to deliver them into the body are needed. This Review identifies current challenges in living medicine delivery and discusses how biomaterial strategies could be leveraged to overcome these clinical barriers.
Tissue-like bioelectronics have emerged as practical, user-friendly and unobtrusive systems for seamless bidirectional integration with the human body. Two-dimensional materials, being led by the prototypical graphene, uniquely fit the task of creating ultrathin and functional interfaces with biological matter. In this Perspective, we comprehensively discuss 2D materials and their electrical, optical, environmental and mechanical properties relevant to bioelectronics. We present examples of 2D material-based bioelectronic devices for tissue interfacing (skintronics) and organ interfacing (organtronics). Importantly, we provide a roadmap for the future development of the field and highlight associated challenges yet to be solved.
A diversity of chemicals are intentionally added to plastics to enhance their properties and aid in manufacture. Yet, the accumulated chemical composition of these materials is essentially unknown even to those within the supply chain, let alone to consumers or recyclers. Recent legislated and voluntary commitments to increase recycled content in plastic products highlight the practical challenges wrought by these chemical mixtures, amid growing public concern about the impacts of plastic-associated chemicals on environmental and human health. In this Perspective, we offer guidance for plastics manufacturers to collaborate across sectors and critically assess their use of added chemicals. The ultimate goal is to use fewer and better additives to promote a circular plastics economy with minimal risk to humans and the environment.
Chronic wounds represent a major global health problem, causing staggering economic and social burdens. The pursuit of effective wound healing strategies demands a multidisciplinary approach, and advances in material sciences and bioengineering have paved the way for the development of novel wound healing biomaterials and technologies. In this Review, we provide an overview of the history and challenges of wound management and highlight the current state of the art in wound healing biomaterials alongside the emerging technologies poised to transform the landscape of chronic wound treatment and monitoring. Moreover, we discuss the clinical and commercial considerations associated with wound healing strategies, including the regulatory pathways and key steps in the translational process. Furthermore, we highlight existing translational gaps and offer a nuanced understanding of the challenges that persist in translating innovative concepts into mainstream clinical practices. Continued innovations and interdisciplinary collaboration will pave the way for better wound care outcomes and potentially markedly improved quality of life for a steadily increasing and ageing population. Chronic wounds, a global health crisis, demand innovative approaches for healing and monitoring. This Review explores the progression of wound care, highlighting advanced biomaterials, emerging technologies and the intricate process of transforming laboratory breakthroughs into clinically applied solutions.
Interdisciplinary strategies bridging oncology, neuroscience, bioelectronics and materials science will facilitate the development of next-generation therapies and devices for cancers of the central nervous system.
Nanoparticle-based systems imbued with both diagnostic and therapeutic functions, known as nanotheranostics, have enabled remarkable progress in guiding focal therapy, inducing active responses to endogenous and exogenous biophysical stimuli, and stratifying patients for optimal treatment. However, although in recent years more nanotechnological platforms and techniques have been implemented in the clinic, several important challenges remain that are specific to nanotheranostics. In this Review, we first discuss some of the many ways of 'constructing' nanotheranostics, focusing on the different imaging modalities and therapeutic strategies. We then outline nanotheranostics that are currently used in humans at different stages of clinical development, identifying specific advantages and opportunities. Finally, we define critical steps along the winding road of preclinical and clinical development and suggest actions to overcome technical, manufacturing, regulatory and economical challenges for the safe and effective clinical translation of nanotheranostics.
The extracellular matrix (ECM) harbours various signals to control cellular functions and the materiality of tissues. Most efforts to synthetically reconstitute the matrix by biomaterial design have focused on decoupling cell-secreted and polymer-based cues. Cells package molecules into nanoscale lipid-membrane-bound extracellular vesicles (EVs) and secrete them. Thus, EVs inherently interact with the meshwork of the ECM. In this Review, we discuss various aspects of EV–matrix interactions. Cells receive feedback from the ECM and leverage intracellular processes to control the biogenesis of EVs. Once secreted, various biomolecular and biophysical factors determine whether EVs are locally incorporated into the matrix or transported out of the matrix to be taken up by other cells or deposited into tissues at a distal location. These insights can be utilized to develop engineered biomaterials in which EV release, retention and production can be precisely controlled to elicit various biological and therapeutic outcomes.
Exascale computers — supercomputers that can perform 1018 floating point operations per second — started coming online in 2022: in the United States, Frontier launched as the first public exascale supercomputer and Aurora is due to open soon; OceanLight and Tianhe-3 are operational in China; and JUPITER is due to launch in 2023 in Europe. Supercomputers offer unprecedented opportunities for modelling complex materials. In this Viewpoint, five researchers working on different types of materials discuss the most promising directions in computational materials science.
The protein corona spontaneously develops and evolves on the surface of nanoscale materials when they are exposed to biological environments, altering their physiochemical properties and affecting their subsequent interactions with biosystems. In this Review, we provide an overview of the current state of protein corona research in nanomedicine. We next discuss remaining challenges in the research methodology and characterization of the protein corona that slow the development of nanoparticle therapeutics and diagnostics, and we address how artificial intelligence can advance protein corona research as a complement to experimental research efforts. We then review emerging opportunities provided by the protein corona to address major issues in healthcare and environmental sciences. This Review details how mechanistic insights into nanoparticle protein corona formation can broadly address unmet clinical and environmental needs, as well as enhance the safety and efficacy of nanobiotechnology products. Understanding the protein corona can advance nanomedicinal developments and elucidate how nanomaterials impact the environment. This Review discusses the evolution and challenges in characterizing the protein corona, explores how artificial intelligence can supplement experimental efforts and exposes emerging opportunities in nanomedicine and the environment.
Genetic drugs based on nucleic acid biomolecules are a rapidly emerging class of medicines that directly reprogramme the central dogma of biology to prevent and treat disease. However, multiple biological barriers normally impede the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids, necessitating the use of a delivery system. Lipid and polymer nanoparticles represent leading approaches for the clinical translation of genetic drugs. These systems circumnavigate biological barriers and facilitate the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids in the correct cells of the target organ using passive, active and endogenous targeting mechanisms. In this Review, we highlight the constituent materials of these advanced nanoparticles, their nucleic acid cargoes and how they journey through the body. We discuss targeting principles for liver delivery, as it is the organ most successfully targeted by intravenously administered nanoparticles to date, followed by the expansion of these concepts to extrahepatic (non-liver) delivery. Ultimately, this Review connects emerging materials and biological insights playing key roles in targeting specific organs and cells in vivo. Nucleic acids for gene silencing, expression and editing can precisely target disease at the molecular level but require effective delivery systems. This Review discusses the material and biological principles used to design delivery systems to target specific organs in the body.
Bioplastics — typically plastics manufactured from bio-based polymers — stand to contribute to more sustainable commercial plastic life cycles as part of a circular economy, in which virgin polymers are made from renewable or recycled raw materials. Carbon-neutral energy is used for production and products are reused or recycled at their end of life (EOL). In this Review, we assess the advantages and challenges of bioplastics in transitioning towards a circular economy. Compared with fossil-based plastics, bio-based plastics can have a lower carbon footprint and exhibit advantageous materials properties; moreover, they can be compatible with existing recycling streams and some offer biodegradation as an EOL scenario if performed in controlled or predictable environments. However, these benefits can have trade-offs, including negative agricultural impacts, competition with food production, unclear EOL management and higher costs. Emerging chemical and biological methods can enable the ‘upcycling’ of increasing volumes of heterogeneous plastic and bioplastic waste into higher-quality materials. To guide converters and consumers in their purchasing choices, existing (bio)plastic identification standards and life cycle assessment guidelines need revision and homogenization. Furthermore, clear regulation and financial incentives remain essential to scale from niche polymers to large-scale bioplastic market applications with truly sustainable impact. Plastics support modern life but are also associated with environmental pollution. This Review discusses technologies for the production and recycling of bioplastics as part of a more sustainable and circular economy.
Pressure-sensitive adhesives are familiar household items spanning applications in everyday repair, office supplies and topical wound care. Through innovations in material and polymer science, pressure-sensitive adhesives will advance from current commodity to new specialty materials with resulting new clinical uses and improved patient care.
Rationally designed architected materials have attained previously untapped territories in materials property space. The properties and behaviours of architected materials need not be stagnant after fabrication; they can be encoded with a temporal degree of freedom such that they evolve over time. In this Review, we describe the variety of materials architected in both space and time, and their responses to various stimuli, including mechanical actuation, changes in temperature and chemical environment, and variations in electromagnetic fields. We highlight the additive manufacturing methods that can precisely prescribe complex geometries and local inhomogeneities to make such responsiveness possible. We discuss the emergent physics phenomena observed in architected materials that are analogous to those in classical materials, such as the formation and behaviour of defects, phase transformations and topologically protected properties. Finally, we offer a perspective on the future of architected materials that have a degree of intelligence through mechanical logic and artificial neural networks.
The metaverse may change the way we live and interact with one another, and its potential applications range from entertainment to health care. Extended reality is the main technology to realize the highly realistic, interactive and immersive metaverse experience, and wearable electronic devices and materials are at its core.
Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is a critical global challenge; it demands advances — at the materials, devices and systems levels — for the efficient harvesting, storage, conversion and management of renewable energy. Energy researchers have begun to incorporate machine learning (ML) techniques to accelerate these advances. In this Perspective, we highlight recent advances in ML-driven energy research, outline current and future challenges, and describe what is required to make the best use of ML techniques. We introduce a set of key performance indicators with which to compare the benefits of different ML-accelerated workflows for energy research. We discuss and evaluate the latest advances in applying ML to the development of energy harvesting (photovoltaics), storage (batteries), conversion (electrocatalysis) and management (smart grids). Finally, we offer an overview of potential research areas in the energy field that stand to benefit further from the application of ML.
DNA origami has emerged as a powerful method to generate DNA nanostructures with dynamic properties and nanoscale control. These nanostructures enable complex biophysical studies and the fabrication of next-generation therapeutic devices. For these applications, DNA origami typically needs to be functionalized with bioactive ligands and biomacromolecular cargos. Here, we review methods developed to functionalize, purify and characterize DNA origami nanostructures. We identify remaining challenges such as limitations in functionalization efficiency and characterization. We then discuss where researchers can contribute to further advance the fabrication of functionalized DNA origami.
In addition to biochemical signals and genetic considerations, mechanical forces are rapidly emerging as a master regulator of human physiology. Yet the molecular mechanisms that regulate force-induced functionalities across a wide range of scales, encompassing the cell, tissue or organ levels, are comparatively not so well understood. With the advent, development and refining of single molecule nanomechanical techniques, enabling to exquisitely probe the conformational dynamics of individual proteins under the effect of a calibrated force, we have begun to acquire a comprehensive knowledge on the rich plethora of physicochemical principles that regulate the elasticity of single proteins. Here we review the major advances underpinning our current understanding of how the elasticity of single proteins regulates mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. We discuss the present limitations and future challenges of such a prolific and burgeoning field.
