Safe and sustainable by design with ML/AI: A transformative approach to advancing nanotechnology

• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 176–185, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.11

• macroscopic properties such as catalytic efficiency, biocompatibility, or environmental persistence. This synergy not only speeds up the discovery process but also allows for continuous refinement of computational models as new data emerge from iterative experimental validation. Moreover, inverse design

• biocompatibility. Similarly, in the field of environmental risk assessment, digital twins simulate how ENMs disperse under varying climatic and ecological conditions and advanced environmental fate models can be utilised to explore the impact of changing conditions or application of mitigation or environmental

From shield to spear: Charge-reversible nanocarriers in overcoming cancer therapy barriers

• Madhuri Yeduvaka,
• Pooja Mittal,
• Ameer Boyalakuntla,
• Usman Bee Shaik,
• Himanshu Sharma,
• Thakur Gurjeet Singh,
• Siva Nageswara Rao Gajula and
• Lakshmi Vineela Nalla

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 159–175, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.10

• through pH-sensitive or neutral/zwitterionic designs enhances therapeutic precision, circulation stability, and biocompatibility by enabling controlled drug release while minimising immune recognition and cytotoxicity. CRNs exhibit diverse mechanisms, applications, and advantages that enhance their

• trigger drug release. They show minimal release at physiological temperature, near-complete release under hyperthermia, and excellent tumour-targeting efficacy with high biocompatibility [66]. Iron oxide nanocubes coated with a thermoresponsive polymer (TR-DOXO) enabled magnetic-hyperthermia-triggered

• nanohydrogel, with excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility, which holds strong potential as a doxorubicin drug carrier for targeted nuclear delivery in cancer therapy [71]. The charge-reversal DOX@MSNs-COS-CMC nanocarrier designed by Cui et al. for targeted delivery, demonstrated enhanced uptake and

Development and in vitro evaluation of liposomes and immunoliposomes containing 5-fluorouracil and R-phycoerythrin as a potential phototheranostic system for colorectal cancer

• Raissa Rodrigues Camelo,
• Vivianne Cortez Sombra Vandesmet,
• Octavio Vital Baccallini,
• José de Brito Vieira Neto,
• Thais da Silva Moreira,
• Luzia Kalyne Almeida Moreira Leal,
• Claudia Pessoa,
• Daniel Giuliano Cerri,
• Maria Vitória Lopes Badra Bentley,
• Josimar O. Eloy,
• Ivanildo José da Silva Júnior and
• Raquel Petrilli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 97–121, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.7

• drug accumulation in tumor tissue through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, thereby reducing cytotoxic exposure to healthy tissues and minimizing side effects [6]. Liposomes have promising characteristics due to their biocompatibility and their ability to carry both hydrophilic and

Internal 3D temperature mapping in biological systems using ratiometric light-sheet imaging and lipid-coated upconversion nanothermometers

• Dannareli Barron-Ortiz,
• Enric Pérez-Parets,
• Rubén D. Cadena-Nava,
• Emilio J. Gualda,
• Jacob Licea-Rodríguez,
• Juan Hernández-Cordero,
• Pablo Loza-Álvarez and
• Israel Rocha-Mendoza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2306–2316, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.159

• biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and stable optical and chemical properties. Additionally, given the conditions commonly presented in biological samples, these materials should also remain unaffected by changes in pH, concentration, ionic strength, and viscosity [1]. Traditional thermometers are macroscopic

• demonstrated volumetric temperature measurements in C. elegans by combining LSFM with lipid-coated NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ upconversion nanoparticles. The lipid coating strategy proved crucial, enhancing biocompatibility and colloidal stability while enabling precise localization of the thermal probes within the

Improving magnetic properties of Mn- and Zn-doped core–shell iron oxide nanoparticles by tuning their size

• Dounia Louaguef,
• Ghouti Medjahdi,
• Sébastien Diliberto,
• Klaus M. Seemann,
• Thomas Gries,
• Joelle Bizeau,
• Damien Mertz,
• Eric Gaffet and
• Halima Alem

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2285–2295, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.157

• unique magnetic properties, small size, and biocompatibility, which enable them to be used in a wide range of biomedical applications. These applications include magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic separation, targeted drug delivery, and hyperthermia [1][2]. Magnetic hyperthermia has been extensively

• development of magnetic nanoparticles with enhanced SAR and improved biocompatibility has been a major objective in the field of nanomedicine. Among the various materials used for magnetic hyperthermia, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), such as magnetite (Fe3−δO4) and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3

• ), have been extensively studied due to their low toxicity, biocompatibility, and ease of synthesis [5]. However, SPIONs face several challenges related to their relatively low saturation magnetization (Ms) and specific loss power (SLP), which limit their effectiveness in hyperthermia applications

Optical bio/chemical sensors for vitamin B₁₂ analysis in food and pharmaceuticals: state of the art, challenges, and future outlooks

• Seyed Mohammad Taghi Gharibzahedi and
• Zeynep Altintas

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2207–2244, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.153

Ultrathin water layers on mannosylated gold nanoparticles

• Maiara A. Iriarte Alonso,
• Jorge H. Melillo,
• Silvina Cerveny,
• Yujin Tong and
• Alexander M. Bittner

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2183–2198, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.151

• properties on particle size and shape has been demonstrated for particle sizes in the 1–100 nm range and on biological interfaces [7]. Limited biocompatibility and high tendency to aggregate in solution inspired new mechanisms of particle biofunctionalization with proteins, lipids, or carbohydrates. Coupling

• carbohydrates to AuNPs provides particle stability and biocompatibility and allows for studying carbohydrate-mediated interactions and designing novel carbohydrate-based antiviral agents [8][9]. From a molecular point of view, glyconanoparticles are water-soluble gold nanoclusters with a three-dimensional

• sensing, imaging, or drug delivery systems. The success of these platforms stems from their dispersion in water, stability, and biocompatibility in fully hydrated states, as well as in biological fluids. Our investigation shows a novel approach to these particles by testing the hydration properties under

Quality by design optimization of microemulsions for topical delivery of Passiflora setacea seed oil

• Daniel T. Pereira,
• Douglas Dourado,
• Danielle T. Freire,
• Dayanne L. Porto,
• Cícero F. S. Aragão,
• Myla L. de Souza,
• Guilherme R. S. de Araujo,
• Ana Maria Costa,
• Wógenes N. Oliveira,
• Anne Sapin-Minet,
• Éverton N. Alencar and
• Eryvaldo Sócrates T. Egito

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2116–2131, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.146

• were incorporated into the formulation within their commonly employed concentration ranges [36]. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC, 1.5% w/w) was added as a gelling agent owing to its excellent biocompatibility, ease of dispersion in aqueous systems, and ability to enhance viscosity without

Rapid synthesis of highly monodisperse AgSbS₂ nanocrystals: unveiling multifaceted activities in cancer therapy, antibacterial strategies, and antioxidant defense

• Funda Ulusu,
• Adem Sarilmaz,
• Yakup Ulusu,
• Faruk Ozel and
• Mahmut Kus

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2105–2115, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.145

• Humicola sp. in biomedical applications were investigated. Cancer experiments were carried out using breast cancer and Burkitt’s lymphoma cancer cells, while the biocompatibility tests of α-AgS nanoparticles were also conducted using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) [18]. Additionally

• biofunctional characteristics relevant to biomedical applications. Despite these promising findings, the results are limited to in vitro assays. Future work should therefore prioritize in vivo validation, mechanistic studies, and surface engineering strategies to enhance biocompatibility and therapeutic

Toward clinical translation of carbon nanomaterials in anticancer drug delivery: the need for standardisation

• Michał Bartkowski,
• Francesco Calzaferri and
• Silvia Giordani

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2092–2104, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.144

• nanotubes, and carbon dots, have attracted considerable interest as nanocarriers for drug delivery due to their unique physicochemical properties. Their high surface area, biocompatibility, and modifiable surface chemistry make them highly attractive for a range of biomedical applications. However, concerns

• nanomaterials (CNMs) have been largely developed as nanocarriers for drug delivery due to their biocompatibility, high surface area, tuneable physicochemical properties, and targeting capabilities [13][14]. However, CNMs also present a subset of challenges, including toxicity concerns, expensive and time

• stabilising surface coatings are employed to preserve nanoparticle stability over time. The degree of functionalisation is also a key consideration as surface modifications can enhance solubility, targeting ability, and biocompatibility. Consistent functionalisation is necessary to ensure reproducibility and

Beyond the shell: exploring polymer–lipid interfaces in core–shell nanofibers to carry hyaluronic acid and β-caryophyllene

• Aline Tavares da Silva Barreto,
• Francisco Alexandrino-Júnior,
• Bráulio Soares Arcanjo,
• Paulo Henrique de Souza Picciani and
• Kattya Gyselle de Holanda e Silva

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2015–2033, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.139

• degradation, and moderate hydrophilicity, but also biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and non-carcinogenicity [5]. Adhering to these critical quality requirements for biomedical products, polylactic acid (PLA) was selected for nanofiber production. This biotechnologically derived aliphatic polyester is a rigid

• thermoplastic known for its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and bioabsorbability [20][21]. Highly attractive due to its versatile physical, chemical, and biological properties, PLA is a suitable option for manufacturing tissue engineering scaffolds, implantable devices, and drug delivery systems, holding

• applications and naturally occurring in vertebrates [26][27]. It is a key element of the extracellular matrix, providing a gelatinous structure where collagen and elastin fibers are embedded. As an endogenous molecule, it demonstrates ideal biocompatibility and full absorption by human tissues. Its natural

PEGylated lipids in lipid nanoparticle delivery dynamics and therapeutic innovation

• Peiyang Gao

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1914–1930, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.133

• alternatives to conventional PEG lipids that retain the key functions of colloidal stability and surface stealth while reducing immune recognition [8][77]. Alternatives to conventional PEG lipids for enhanced LNP biocompatibility While PEG lipids have long been the top candidate for enhancing LNP stealth and

• delivery [79]. pSar shares many of PEG’s stabilizing properties, such as preventing particle aggregation and providing a hydrophilic barrier, but it offers improved biocompatibility and a lower risk of immune activation [80]. In an earlier study, DMG-PEG lipid was replaced with pSar lipids of different

Self-assembly and adhesive properties of Pollicipes pollicipes barnacle cement protein cp19k: influence of pH and ionic strength

• Shrutika Sawant,
• Anne Marie Power and
• J. Gerard Wall

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1863–1872, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.129

• their formulation, biocompatibility, long-term stability, and clinical efficacy still require significant investigation [12][13]. Barnacles are sessile marine organisms which employ a different strategy for underwater adhesion: they secrete a multicomponent proteinaceous cement that facilitates robust

On the road to sustainability – application of metallic nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis in dentistry: a scoping review

• Lorena Pinheiro Vasconcelos Silva,
• Joice Catiane Soares Martins,
• Israel Luís Carvalho Diniz,
• Júlio Abreu Miranda,
• Danilo Rodrigues de Souza,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar,
• Moan Jéfter Fernandes Costa and
• Pedro Henrique Sette-de-Souza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1851–1862, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.128

• activity and enhanced biocompatibility, achieved through phytochemically mediated synthesis. Conventional nanoparticle production often relies on toxic reagents and energy-intensive processes, posing environmental and clinical challenges. In contrast, green synthesis, using plant extracts, fungi, or

• significantly reduces the generation of toxic waste, occupational risks, and environmental impacts [13][14][15]. Furthermore, green-synthesized nanoparticles demonstrate enhanced biocompatibility, improved bioavailability, and reduced cytotoxicity, which broadens their applicability in fields such as dental

• [45][46]. Besides silver, zinc, copper, and nickel, other metals have been used to a lesser extent. The significant representation of ZnO-NPs, known for their biocompatibility, UV-blocking capacity, and antibacterial efficacy, aligns with their growing use in restorative and preventive dentistry

Piezoelectricity of layered double hydroxides: perspectives regarding piezocatalysis and nanogenerators

• Evgeniy S. Seliverstov,
• Evgeniya A. Tarasenko and
• Olga E. Lebedeva

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1812–1817, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.124

• biocompatibility might exhibit a piezoelectric effect under ultrasound irradiation and generate superoxide anion radicals [5]. The results confirmed the potential of the selected LDH for application in novel piezocatalytic tumor therapy as an effective sonosensitizer. The obtained data indicated that the

Exploring the potential of polymers: advancements in oral nanocarrier technology

• Rousilândia de Araujo Silva,
• Igor Eduardo Silva Arruda,
• Luise Lopes Chaves,
• Mônica Felts de La Roca Soares and
• Jose Lamartine Soares Sobrinho

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1751–1793, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.122

• invasiveness and greater biocompatibility [11]. Polymeric nanoparticles (PNs) have been studied for their potential in the oral delivery of insoluble drugs and biological products [12]. Peptides, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists [13], nucleic acids such as RNA [14], insulin [15], and antigens [16] have been

• , thereby achieving highly efficient drug release [18]. This interaction with biological systems without inducing negative or toxic effects is attributed to their biocompatibility and biodegradability [19]. Surface design plays a pivotal role in PNs for oral use, as it dictates their behavior during

• bioavailability enhancement are discussed. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive theoretical foundation for employing polymers as nanocarriers in oral drug delivery. 2 Polymeric nanoparticles: a viable option for oral administration The biocompatibility and biodegradability of polymers have

Advances of aptamers in esophageal cancer diagnosis, treatment and drug delivery

• Yang Fei,
• Hui Xu,
• Chunwei Zhang,
• Jingjing Wang and
• Yong Jin

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1734–1750, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.121

• optimal biocompatibility, structural stability, and superior drug-loading capacity. However, nanocarriers are prone to complement system recognition [39] and clearance due to their microbial-scale dimensions and surface-exposed nucleophilic groups, which inadvertently trigger immune activation and

• experiments showed that about 50% of EPI was released after 25 h. Cytotoxicity studies were carried out in KYSE-70 and EC109 cell lines. PEI–aptamer–EPI had significantly higher tumoricidal effects compared with EPI and Aptamer-EPI groups. Unfortunately, this study was only in vitro; biocompatibility, in vivo

Multifunctional anionic nanoemulsion with linseed oil and lecithin: a preliminary approach for dry eye disease

• Niédja Fittipaldi Vasconcelos,
• Almerinda Agrelli,
• Rayane Cristine Santos da Silva,
• Carina Lucena Mendes-Marques,
• Isabel Renata de Souza Arruda,
• Priscilla Stela Santana de Oliveira,
• Mércia Liane de Oliveira and
• Giovanna Machado

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1711–1733, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.120

• droplet uniformity with a monodisperse profile [93]; (3) maximizing lecithin’s performance in forming LO droplets through monolayer micelles [81]; (4) avoiding excess surfactant molecules to maintain biocompatibility [94][95]; and (5) maintaining a negative surface charge density greater than −30 mV for

Prospects of nanotechnology and natural products for cancer and immunotherapy

• Jan Filipe Andrade Santos,
• Marcela Bernardes Brasileiro,
• Pamela Danielle Cavalcante Barreto,
• Ligiane Aranha Rocha and
• José Adão Carvalho Nascimento Júnior

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1644–1667, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.116

• ]. Following this analysis, polysaccharide nanoparticles have high biocompatibility and the ability to encapsulate therapeutic molecules, representing an alternative to the use of natural products [36]. However, although polysaccharides are often studied in pharmaceutical systems, this has not been reflected

• in patent searches, as only two publications were found. Self-assembled nanoparticles are structures with adapted particle interactions to achieve desired purposes [37]. In the pharmaceutical field, these nanoparticles have potential as vehicles for anticancer drugs due to their biocompatibility

• , microemulsion and inverse microemulsion, hydrothermal method, seeding, sonoelectrodeposition, and coprecipitation can be implemented for the synthesis of nanoparticles [98]. In the context of cancer treatment, nanoparticles promote enhanced biocompatibility, reduced toxicity, and increased stability and

Venom-loaded cationic-functionalized poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles for serum production against Tityus serrulatus scorpion

• Philippe de Castro Mesquita,
• Karla Samara Rocha Soares,
• Manoela Torres-Rêgo,
• Emanuell dos Santos-Silva,
• Mariana Farias Alves-Silva,
• Alianda Maira Cornélio,
• Matheus de Freitas Fernandes-Pedrosa and
• Arnóbio Antônio da Silva-Júnior

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1633–1643, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.115

• barriers, their biocompatibility, and low toxicity [18]. Their manipulation at the nanoscale changes specific surface properties, possibly improving the ability to cross biological barriers targeting the affected tissues [18][19]. In this context, nanoparticle controlled release based on biodegradable

• carriers, further investigation is required to assess their safety profile. In vitro cytotoxicity assays on relevant cell lines, particularly immune or epithelial cells and long-term biocompatibility studies, including histopathological analysis following repeated administration, will be essential to

Nanotechnology-based approaches for the removal of microplastics from wastewater: a comprehensive review

• Nayanathara O Sanjeev,
• Manjunath Singanodi Vallabha and
• Rebekah Rubidha Lisha Rabi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1607–1632, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.114

• thermal, acidic, and saline conditions. Its self-adhesive nature, biocompatibility, and durability make it a promising preventive strategy at the source. Similarly, nanocellulose, derived from renewable biomass, exhibits a high surface area and tunable surface chemistry, making it effective for adsorbing

Transient electronics for sustainability: Emerging technologies and future directions

• Jae-Young Bae,
• Myung-Kyun Choi and
• Seung-Kyun Kang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1545–1556, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.109

• operational period, addressing growing concerns over sustainability and long-term biocompatibility. Built from biodegradable materials that undergo hydrolysis or enzymatic degradation, these systems are particularly well suited for temporary implantable applications, such as neural monitors, wireless

• constituent (Figure 1e) [27]. Crucially, the utility of transient systems is not confined to the biomedical domain. Their degradation mechanisms are equally applicable in broader environmental settings where biocompatibility constraints are relaxed. In contexts such as soil, compost, freshwater, or marine

• materials exhibit strong potential for the use in implantable medical devices. For instance, Ge nanomembranes have been employed in fully biodegradable strain and temperature sensors, demonstrating proven biocompatibility and gas-free dissolution. In addition, IGZO has been utilized to fabricate transient

Cross-reactivities in conjugation reactions involving iron oxide nanoparticles

• Shoronia N. Cross,
• Katalin V. Korpany,
• Hanine Zakaria and
• Amy Szuchmacher Blum

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1504–1521, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.106

• ]. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs), in particular, have been explored for these applications, due to their low toxicity, biocompatibility, and high saturation magnetization [4]. These applications require reliable and controlled surface functionalization to impart desired functionality, such as tissue

Nanomaterials for biomedical applications

• Iqra Zainab,
• Zohra Naseem,
• Syeda Rubab Batool,
• Filippo Pierini,
• Seda Kizilel and
• Muhammad Anwaar Nazeer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1499–1503, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.105

• and biocompatibility [14]. In general, smart drug delivery systems developed from nanomaterials are changing the concept of delivering therapies. With lower drug dosing, it helps patients quickly recover with fewer side effects, which is necessary for chronic or life-threatening diseases. Due to all

• . Traditional implants face various problems, such as poor biocompatibility, inflammatory response, or the risk of infection. However, with the integration of nanomaterials, these devices show higher biocompatibility, durability, and defenses against bacteria [36]. For example, incorporating titanium dioxide or

Laser processing in liquids: insights into nanocolloid generation and thin film integration for energy, photonic, and sensing applications

• Akshana Parameswaran Sreekala,
• Pooja Raveendran Nair,
• Jithin Kundalam Kadavath,
• Bindu Krishnan,
• David Avellaneda Avellaneda,
• M. R. Anantharaman and
• Sadasivan Shaji

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1428–1498, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.104

• Nanoparticles in their pure colloidal form synthesized by laser-assisted processes such as laser ablation/fragmentation/irradiation/melting in liquids have attained much interest from the scientific community because of their specialties like facile synthesis, ultra-high purity, biocompatibility, colloidal