Entering the Era of Nanoscience: Time to Be So Small Vuk Uskokovíc

Abstract

The field of nanoscience has produced more hype than probably any other branch of materials science and engineering in its history. Still, the potentials of this new field largely lay undiscovered ahead of us; what we have learnt so far with respect to the peculiarity of physical processes on the nanoscale is only the tip of an iceberg. Elaborated in this critical review is the idea that the surge of interest in physical chemistry of phenomena at the nanoscale presents a natural consequence of the spatial refinement of the human ability to controllably manipulate the substratum of our physical reality. Examples are given to illustrate the sensitivity of material properties to grain size on the nanoscale, a phenomenon that directly contributed to the rise of nanoscience as a special field of scientific inquiry. Main systemic challenges faced by the present and future scientists in this field are also mentioned. In part, this perspective article resembles standing on the constantly expanding seashore of the coast of nanoscience and nanoengineering and envisioning the parts of the island where the most significant advances may be expected to occur and where, therefore, most of the attention of scientist in this field is to be directed: (a) crossing the gap between life science and materials science; (b) increasing experimentation sensitivity; (c) crisscrossing theory and experiments; and (d) conjoining top-down and bottom-up synthetic approaches. As for materials and the application areas discussed, a special emphasis is placed on calcium phosphate nanoparticles and their usage in controlled drug delivery devices and other applications of biomedical relevance. It is argued that the properties of nanoparticles as drug carriers often comprise the critical determinant for the efficacy of the drug therapy. Therefore, the basic properties of nanoparticles to be optimized for the purpose of maximizing this efficacy are discussed: size, size distribution, morphology, polymorphic nature, crystallinity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, drug elution profiles, and aggregation propensity.

In vitro study of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of indomethacin-loaded Eudragit® L 100 nanocapsules

“…Nanoparticles envelop drugs, enabling the bio-distribution of water-insoluble compounds, resulting in increased half-life and pharmacokinetics. Moreover, treatment is more effective since drugs are directed to particular target areas, allowing the use of smaller total doses (Uskoković, 2013). Eudragits ® , well-known pharmaceutical excipients, have been widely used in various sustained-and controlled-release formulations (Ibrahim et al, 2010;Jose et al, 2011).…”

Application of Mass Spectrometry to Characterize Localization and Efficacy of Nanoceria In Vivo

“…The exception to this may be nanomaterials that are small enough to pass through the tight junctions between endothelial cells making up the BBB. However, to reach the brain in the fi rst place, the nanoparticles must avoid uptake by phagocytic immune cells [ 43 , 50 ], aggregation of particles themselves [ 51 ], and binding to other large proteins that would signifi cantly increase their size [ 50 ].…”

In vitro cytotoxicity of SiO2 or ZnO nanoparticles with different sizes and surface charges on U373MG human glioblastoma cells

“…To determine whether SiO 2 or ZnO NPs induce apoptosis, U373MG cells were treated with the above-described SiO 2 or ZnO NPs, and caspase-3 activation was assessed by determining the proteolytic cleavage of PARP (from the native 116 kDa to 89 kDa) at 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9 hours after treatment. The treatment of U373MG cells with SiO 2 NPs at the concentrations shown to reduce cell viability by 85% to 90% was found to rapidly induce PARP cleavage at 1 hour after treatment (Figure 4; compare lane 2 with lane 1).…”

“…1 Many NPs offer unique and beneficial properties, and they have been widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, electronics, and other industries (reviewed in Uskokovic). 2 Silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) and zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs have photocatalytic activities and are commonly used in various consumer products (eg, cosmetics) and biomedical applications (eg, drug delivery and theranostics) (reviewed in Fan and Lu 3 and Fine et al 4 ). Given their widespread use, humans are constantly exposed to SiO 2 and ZnO NPs, which can enter the body via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption.…”

“…For example, SiO 2 and ZnO NPs reportedly trigger the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inducing the p53 pathway to activate the caspase cascade. [20][21][22][23] Both SiO 2 and ZnO NPs were shown to activate the initiator caspase-9 and the executioner caspase-3 in human lung epithelial cells and dermal fibroblasts. [20][21][22][23] However, a recent study found that ZnO NPmediated apoptosis was not related to ROS generation or the p53 pathway.…”