Novel nanomaterial–organism hybrids with biomedical potential

Abstract

Instinctive hierarchically biomineralized structures of various organisms, such as eggs, algae, and magnetotactic bacteria, afford extra protection and distinct performance, which endow fragile organisms with a tenacious ability to adapt and survive. However, spontaneous formation of hybrid materials is difficult for most organisms in nature. Rapid development of chemistry and materials science successfully obtained the combinations of organisms with nanomaterials by biomimetic mineralization thus demonstrating the reproduction of the structures and functions and generation of novel functions that organisms do not possess. The rational design of biomaterial–organism hybridization can control biological recognition, interactions, and metabolism of the organisms. Thus, nanomaterial–organism hybrids represent a next generation of organism engineering with great potential biomedical applications. This review summarizes recent advances in material‐directed organism engineering and is mainly focused on biomimetic mineralization technologies and their outstanding biomedical applications. Three representative types of biomimetic mineralization are systematically introduced, including external mineralization, internal mineralization, and genetic engineering mineralization. The methods involving hybridization of nanomaterials and organisms based on biomimetic mineralization strategies are described. These strategies resulted in applications of various nanomaterial–organism hybrids with multiplex functions in cell engineering, cancer treatment, and vaccine improvement. Unlike classical biological approaches, this material‐based bioregulation is universal, effective, and inexpensive. In particular, instead of traditional medical solutions, the integration of nanomaterials and organisms may exploit novel strategies to solve current biomedical problems. This article is categorized under: Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease

Hierarchy of hybrid materials. Part-II: The place of organics-on-inorganics in it, their composition and applications

“…Recently and in the latter work, classification of “hybrid materials” was performed by Saveleva and co-authors, where modification of organic materials by inorganics was analyzed ( Saveleva et al, 2019 ). It was emphasized that perfect complementarity of these two types of materials stemming from the fact that they are used to improve their respective properties or to bring-in additional functionalities into resultant hybrid materials ( Ruiz-Hitzky et al, 2008 ; Wang et al, 2018b ; Guo et al, 2020 ; Li et al, 2021a ). A typically highlighted example is an assembly of hard and soft–two antagonist properties–materials which are different but complementary in regard with their properties.…”

Tannic Acid-Assisted Biomineralization Strategy for Encapsulation and Intracellular Delivery of Protein Drugs

“…However, since the loading of proteins on or inside a polynuclear complex is generally performed by physical adsorption or conjugation, potential toxicity in further application due to off-target delivery is inevitable. The emergence of biomimetic mineralization technology provides an effective way to solve the above issues. , Biological mineralization is a process in which organisms can control the synthesis of inorganic minerals . The as-generated biological minerals have successfully been used for supporting and protecting biological soft tissues.…”

“…The emergence of biomimetic mineralization technology provides an effective way to solve the above issues. 22,23 Biological mineralization is a process in which organisms can control the synthesis of inorganic minerals. 24 The as-generated biological minerals have successfully been used for supporting and protecting biological soft tissues.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Mg-Doped Calcium Phosphate-Coated Phycocyanin Nanoparticles for Improving the Thermal Stability of Phycocyanin

“…Biomineralization is a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature [ 15 , 16 ]. The mineralized shell provides eggs, algae, and bacteria with special properties, such as heat resistance and mechanical protection, so that fragile organisms can tenaciously adapt and survive in adverse environments such as high temperatures [ 17 , 18 ]. Biomimetic mineralization can artificially provide mineral shells for organisms and materials with insufficient or nonexistent mineralization ability [ 19 ].…”

“…Biomimetic mineralization can artificially provide mineral shells for organisms and materials with insufficient or nonexistent mineralization ability [ 19 ]. Compared with traditional nanotechnology, biomimetic mineralization only requires a biosafety mineral solution, and the production process is simple with a low cost [ 18 ]. Biomimetic mineralized hybrids also have high biocompatibility [ 20 , 21 ].…”