Collaborative efforts from the fields of biology, materials science, and engineering are leading to exciting progress in the development of nanomedicines. Since the targets of many therapeutic agents are localized in subcellular compartments, modulation of nanoparticle-cell interactions for an efficient cellular uptake through the plasma membrane, and the development of nanomedicines for precise delivery to subcellular compartments remain formidable challenges. The cellular internalization routes have a determining effect on the post-internalization fate and intracellular localization of nanoparticles. This review highlights the cellular uptake routes most relevant to the field of non-targeted nanomedicine, and presents an account of ligand targeted nanoparticles for receptor mediated cellular internalization as a strategy for modulating the cellular uptake of nanoparticles. Ligand targeted nanoparticles have been the main impetus behind the progress of nanomedicines towards the clinic. This strategy has even resulted in a remarkable development towards effective oral delivery of nanomedicines that can overcome the intestinal epithelial cellular barrier. A detailed overview of the recent developments towards subcellular targeting that is emerging as a platform for the next generation organelle specific nanomedicines is also provided. Each section of the review includes prospect, potential, and concrete expectations from the field of targeted nanomedicines and strategies to meet those expectations.

Novel silicate nanoplatelets that induce osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in the absence of any osteoinductive factor are reported. The presence of the silicate triggers a set of events that follows the temporal pattern of osteogenic differentiation. These findings underscore the potential applications of these silicate nanoplatelets in designing bioactive scaffolds for musculoskeletal tissue engineering.