Protein-based custom-designed molecular nanotraps for biomedical applications

• Devid Maniglio,
• Alice Marinangeli and
• Alessandra Maria Bossi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 683–687, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.47

• , choosing the protein building block among those already in use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, such as gelatin and silk fibroin, ensures biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity. Despite these potentials, to date, the use of proteins as building blocks for the preparation of

Decontamination from water pollutants and pathogens by electrospun nanofibers doped with heavy-atom-free borafluorene-BODIPY photosensitizers

• Angelika Zaszczyńska,
• Paulina H. Marek-Urban,
• Karolina Wrochna,
• Agnieszka E. Kuklewska,
• Kacper Kręgielewski,
• Marta Grodzik,
• Dawid R. Natkowski,
• Jolanta Mierzejewska,
• Ewa Iwanek,
• Agata Blacha-Grzechnik,
• Paweł Sajkiewicz and
• Krzysztof Durka

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 668–682, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.46

• heavy atoms (e.g., I, Ru, Pt, and Au) [17][18][19][20], which enhance intersystem crossing induced by spin–orbit coupling (SOC-ISC), but also increase dark toxicity, shorten the triplet lifetime, and decrease photostability [21][22][23]. For these reasons, heavy-atom-free BODIPY photosensitizers have

• antimicrobial efficacy similar to that of higher concentrations while potentially reducing toxicity and improving cost efficiency. The photoactivity of 1@PCL materials is comparable to that of a BODIPY-embedded electrospun PCL material studied by Cakmak et al. [62], which achieved 0.6–2.6 log reductions in

Cellulose as a photocatalyst support material: extraction, structural features, and environmental applications

• Yee Teng Lim,
• Nur Farhana Jaafar,
• Azizul Hakim Lahuri and
• Endang Tri Wahyuni

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 635–652, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.44

• for burns and chronic wounds, highlighting their crucial role in modern biomedicine. A notable example is cellulose acetate (CA), a natural and environmentally friendly derivative obtained from renewable sources such as wood pulp, which combines non-toxicity with water-attracting properties, robust

• gained prominence because of their ability to selectively target specific organs and tissues, thereby reducing side effects, minimizing systemic toxicity, and improving overall treatment efficiency [23]. Researchers are increasingly developing cellulose-based scaffolds for tissue engineering as these

• applied in wastewater treatment to degrade organic pollutants efficiently [86]. Metal oxides serve as key activators in photocatalytic oxidation by initiating radical chain reactions, and they remain favored for their low cost, minimal toxicity, and ease of modification through strategies such as size

Two-step laser synthesis of Ag@TiO₂ nanomaterials for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B

• Marija Kovačević,
• Miloš Tošić,
• Rafaela Radičić,
• Vladimir Rajić,
• Nikša Krstulović,
• Miloš Momčilović and
• Sanja Živković

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 622–634, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.43

• photosynthetic activity by limiting light penetration in water bodies and causes toxicity to aquatic organisms. Furthermore, RhB is considered a potential mutagen and carcinogen, capable of causing DNA damage and posing significant risks to human health through bioaccumulation in the food chain. Given these

Advances in nanotechnology applied to natural products

• Douglas Dourado,
• Fábio Rocha Formiga,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar and
• Franceline Reynaud

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 555–558, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.36

• nanoplatforms for the delivery of natural products, offering structural stability, tunable release profiles, and controllable surface properties [20]. Polymeric nanoparticles, in particular, can protect bioactive compounds, potentially reduce off-target toxicity, and enhance specific biological responses

First-principles study on elastic properties of Cu, (Cu_1−x,Ni_x)₃Sn and interfacial mechanical properties of (Cu_1−x,Ni_x)₃Sn/Cu in the lead-free solder joint

• Guomin Hua

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 428–439, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.29

• alloying strategies to meet the requirements for electronic device miniaturization and harsh environmental applications. Keywords: ductility; elastic modulus; interfacial toughness; lead-free solder; work of adhesion; Introduction Due its toxicity, lead has caused serious problems in human health and

Nanoinformatics: spanning scales, systems and solutions

• Iseult Lynch,
• Diego S. T. Martinez,
• Kunal Roy and
• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 423–427, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.28

• questions including the prediction of (nano)materials (NM) functionality, nanomaterials fate in the environment, toxicity or therapeutic ability, and recyclability. As the properties of nanomaterials themselves span several scales, from electronic, atomistic, mesoscopic to continuum, and are highly dynamic

• nanomaterials physicochemical properties, structural features, and biomolecule interactions using both physics-based and machine-learning (ML) approaches; (ii) prediction of nanomaterials toxicity including development of novel toxicity-related descriptors; (iii) solution-focussed approaches applying advanced

• major topic in the field is to identify the drivers of nanomaterials toxicity, through understanding which physicochemical properties or atomistic properties are most strongly correlated with – and thus predictive of – toxicity, often measured in vitro as cytotoxicity. To address this question, Roy and

Biomimetic nanoparticles in cancer photodynamic therapy: a review of targeted delivery systems and therapeutic outcomes

• Valentina I. Gorbacheva,
• Alexey S. Grabovoy,
• Polina S. Marukhina,
• Anastasiia O. Syrocheva and
• Ekaterina P. Kolesova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 396–422, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.27

• reduced systemic toxicity [1]. Among emerging treatments, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has garnered considerable attention due to its minimally invasive nature, spatiotemporal control, and ability to selectively destroy tumor tissues while sparing healthy cells [2]. PDT operates through a unique mechanism

• tissue via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, driven by tumor vasculature characteristics [10]. This enhances delivery selectivity, reducing therapeutic doses and impact on healthy tissues. The nanoparticle shell isolates the PS, reducing dark toxicity and systemic phototoxicity [11

• generation requires efficient excitation and minimal competing non-ROS-producing relaxation pathways. Low dark toxicity minimizes harm in the absence of light. High stability and low aggregation under physiological conditions are essential for maintaining photochemical activity [22]. A balanced

Beam shaping techniques for pulsed laser ablation in liquids: Unlocking tunable control of nanoparticle synthesis in liquids

• Sergio Molina-Prados,
• Nadezhda M. Bulgakova,
• Alexander V. Bulgakov,
• Jesus Lancis,
• Gladys Mínguez Vega and
• Carlos Doñate-Buendia

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 309–342, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.22

• indeed eco-friendly and offer advantages like low toxicity and reduced environmental impact; however, they generally offer less control over NP properties. Moreover, other physical methods such as milling, pyrolysis, sputtering, and arc discharge, or gas-phase processes such as flame spray pyrolysis or

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

• networks, where standardized information on nanomaterial properties and toxicity profiles can be used to train increasingly robust ML models. Overall, the synergy between the SSbD concept, advanced ML/AI algorithms, and comprehensive regulatory directives fosters a future-oriented model of nanotechnology

• and sustainability considerations into nanomaterial development. Need for harmonized testing protocols Establishing standardized and reproducible methodologies for characterizing nanomaterial properties – such as size distribution, surface chemistry, and toxicity profiles – is essential. A unified

• environmental and climate data with information on the production, release, exposure, and toxicity of materials with many complex descriptors [38]. (2) Big data analytics: Advanced algorithms can carefully analyse high-dimensional datasets, identifying patterns between physicochemical characteristics of ENMs

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

• 16.8% of all deaths and 30.3% of premature mortality due to noncommunicable diseases, and continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide despite medical progress. Conventional treatment methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy often face challenges such as systemic toxicity

• the crucial role of surface charge in cellular uptake and intracellular transport, highlighting recent advances that demonstrate improved targeting, reduced systemic toxicity, enhanced cellular internalisation, and the potential for integrated approaches, including combination therapies and

• biodistribution while protecting fragile biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids [11]. Through targeted and sustained release, these systems enhance therapeutic efficacy, prolong circulation, and reduce systemic toxicity compared to conventional formulations [12][13]. As illustrated in Figure 1

Influence of surface characteristics on the in vitro stability and cell uptake of nanoliposomes for brain delivery

• Dushko Shalabalija,
• Ljubica Mihailova,
• Nikola Geskovski,
• Andreas Zimmer,
• Otmar Geiss,
• Sabrina Gioria,
• Diletta Scaccabarozzi and
• Marija Glavas Dodov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 139–158, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.9

• well known that incorporating AC into NLs improves their biological distribution, reduces macrophage uptake, and lowers free AC concentrations, thus decreasing systemic toxicity. Additionally, modifying the composition and surface properties of NLs can enhance their passage through the blood–brain

• stability, toxicity, and therapeutic potential of nanodelivery systems, thus improving the translation of study results to real biological systems. In this direction, some of the prerequisites for establishing a relevant in vitro model for cell uptake studies include precise control over factors like

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

• third most prevalent type of cancer in the world. R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) is a phycobiliprotein isolated from red algae such as Solieria filiformis, with fluorescent properties, photodynamic activity and potential for cancer treatment. However, 5-FU toxicity promotes several side effects and R-PE low

• intratumor accumulation with higher cellular internalization. In addition, the use of immunoliposomes contributes to reducing systemic toxicity, since their delivery is concentrated in the tumor microenvironment, avoiding exposure of healthy tissues [8]. In colorectal cancer, the epidermal growth factor

• evaluated, and the systems were thoroughly characterized. Finally, in vitro experiments in a CRC cell line were conducted for the evaluation of cytotoxicity, photo toxicity, and uptake. Some studies have sought to demonstrate that dual-drug nanosystems can result in synergistic antitumor effects or reduce

Functional surface engineering for cultural heritage protection: the role of superhydrophobic and superoleophobic coatings – a comprehensive review

• Giuseppe Cesare Lama,
• Marino Lavorgna,
• Letizia Verdolotti,
• Federica Recupido,
• Giovanna Giuliana Buonocore and
• Bharat Bhushan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 63–96, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.6

• organogel, composed of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), ethyl lactate (EL), and deferoxamine B (DFO), for the simultaneous removal of iron corrosion and aged acrylic coatings from historical metal artefacts. This gel is made of bio-based, biodegradable, and low-toxicity materials, aligned with Green Chemistry

• materials and low-toxicity systems, while the other studies [78][80] approach it only indirectly, through solvent-free processing or durability improvements rather than fully closed life-cycle considerations. Textile substrates Just like wood, heritage textile materials are organic substrates since they are

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

• measure the internal temperature within fixed C. elegans nematodes. The worms were fed with the UCNPs@lipids solution at a 1 mg·mL−1 concentration, consistent with imaging and toxicity studies [56]. Figure 5 illustrates the workflow for obtaining temperature maps. The process begins with identifying 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

• ), 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

Missing links in nanomaterials research impacting productivity and perceptions

• Santosh K. Tiwari and
• Nannan Wang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2168–2176, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.149

• standardized toxicity assessment, environmental fate modeling, and lifecycle analysis to enable safe and scalable commercialization. (2) Strengthen industry engagement through public–private partnerships that integrate advanced nanomaterials such as graphene, MXenes, nanoporous catalysts, and quantum dots into

Microplastic pollution in Himalayan lakes: assessment, risks, and sustainable remediation strategies

• Sameeksha Rawat,
• S. M. Tauseef and
• Madhuben Sharma

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2144–2167, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.148

• its behavior in distant, elevated lake systems such as the Himalayas. The most important areas to focus with regard to the ecotoxicological impact of microplastics are the bioaccumulation of microplastics in the Himalayan food web, plasticizer toxicity, and long-term potential health and ecological

• ”, “groundwater contamination”, “plastic toxicity”, “MP remediation technologies”, “bioremediation”, “SDG 6”, and “ecological risk”. Literature search was restricted to articles published in the period of 2010–2025. Peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and technical reports published in the English

• in Himalayan groundwater [30]. Our addition of groundwater vulnerability modeling and toxicity pathways to this contributes by incorporating MPs into groundwater threat frameworks, providing a new contribution in linking solid plastic pollution with hydrological threats in vulnerable highland

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

• , the ME preserved mitochondrial activity at concentrations up to 0.5 mg/mL in HUVEC and 2 mg/mL in RAW 264.7 cells after 48 h. Toxicity observed at higher concentrations was attributed to increased surfactant content, highlighting the importance of formulation optimization. Despite these promising

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

• regarding toxicity and regulatory hurdles remain major barriers to clinical translation. Current research is therefore focused on standardizing CNM synthesis and characterisation methods, minimizing toxicity, and facilitating regulatory approval. Despite these challenges, CNMs hold substantial promise for

• 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

• , laser ablation, or electrochemical techniques, among others. These CNMs must then be thoroughly characterised to confirm their structural and physicochemical properties, including size, shape, charge, surface functionality, stability, and potential toxicity. Following characterisation, anticancer

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

Targeting the vector of arboviruses Aedes aegypti with nanoemulsions based on essential oils: a review with focus on larvicidal and repellent properties

• Laryssa Ferreira do Nascimento Silva,
• Douglas Dourado,
• Thayse Silva Medeiros,
• Mariana Alice Gonzaga Gabú,
• Maria Cecilia Queiroga dos Santos,
• Daiane Rodrigues dos Santos,
• Mylena Lemos dos Santos,
• Gabriel Bezerra Faierstein,
• Rosângela Maria Rodrigues Barbosa and
• Fabio Rocha Formiga

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1894–1913, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.132

• insecticides, ovicides, pupicides, oviposition deterrents, and repellents [25][26]. The main advantages include low toxicity, biodegradability, and action in multiple locations due to the variety of compounds [12][19]. On the other hand, essential oils in their natural form are not stable under environmental

• superior efficacy compared to commercial emulsions, along with lower toxicity to non-target organisms and improved environmental compatibility [103]. Similarly, Shaari et al. (2021) developed palm-oil-based nanoemulsions containing deltamethrin, which exhibited enhanced insecticidal performance against Ae

• µg/mL at 144 hours. The toxicity of NE in Apis mellifera was evaluated, proving that the formulated nanoemulsion did not present toxicity for this non-target species. Viana et al. (2023) explored the larvicidal activity of a nanoemulsion formulated with an essential oil extracted from the leaves of

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

• demonstrated that these nanoparticles exhibit low toxicity, effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, and strong colloidal stability, ensuring long-term dispersion [26][27]. Additionally, they exhibit antioxidant activity and selective cytotoxic effects on tumor cells, including oral cancer

Current status of using adsorbent nanomaterials for removing microplastics from water supply systems: a mini review

• Nguyen Thi Nhan and
• Tran Le Luu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1837–1850, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.127

• , leading to cellular damage [111]. According to Thirunavukkarasu et al., the interactions between these nanomaterials and other contaminants are not fully understood. While some studies suggest that different synthesis methods can reduce toxicity, they still pose a significant threat to end-users [112

• nanomaterials. Numerous adverse health effects, such as inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders, cellular toxicity, and genetic damage, are linked to nanomaterial accumulation, as shown in many studies [115]. Furthermore, the application of biosolids containing nanomaterials to agricultural soils can lead to

• , and decomposition at the end of use. The system boundaries are defined to capture the full life cycle, consisting of energy consumption, carbon emissions, and residual toxicity [113]. However, until now, in-depth LCAs conducted on nanomaterials are still relatively limited [117]. In addition, advances