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Inorganics
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Functional Inorganic Biomaterials for Molecular Sensing and Biomedical Applications
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Functional Inorganic Biomaterials for Molecular Sensing and Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Inorganics (ISSN 2304-6740). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 7201

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Nabanita Saikia

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Guest Editor
Chemistry Department, School of Science, Ivan Hilton Science Center, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM, USA
Interests: inorganic materials; molecular self-assembly; drug delivery; protein folding and dynamics; modeling of functional nanomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is my utmost pleasure to invite you to contribute a full article, short communication, opinion, or review article to this Special Issue, entitled "Functional Inorganic Biomaterials for Molecular Sensing and Biomedical Applications".

Science thrives on innovation and technological advancements that can further the quality of life via the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases and fostering environmental sustainability. Inorganic biomaterials encompass a diverse array of materials that include metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, and are shown to be pivotal in chemistry, materials science, biology, medicine, and biomedical engineering. The development of inorganic biomaterials with tunable intrinsic properties (i.e., shape, size, surface-to-volume ratio or aspect ratio, topography, and electrostatic interactions), engineerable surfaces, and functionality is much sought after in imaging and clinical therapy. The molecular sensing and biomedical applications of inorganic biomaterials are quite diverse and include regenerative medicine, tumor imaging, atherosclerosis imaging, tissue engineering, drug delivery, orthopedic implants, photothermal therapy, and the design of controllable medical devices. Inorganic biomaterials and their hybrid assemblies can also be applied as scaffolds to immobilize biological molecules in a defined manner and provide the means of producing advanced materials for tailored biological applications.

This Special Issue calls for studies on the structural characterization of inorganic biomaterials, the biophysical and biochemical properties of inorganic-based biomaterials, biocompatibility, and applications of inorganic biomaterials, including, but not limited to, imaging and clinical therapy, such as therapeutic drug delivery, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. The invitation is open to researchers who investigate the medical applications of inorganic biomaterials using computation and experiments. The objective of this Special Issue is to showcase the recent advances in inorganic biomaterials, which include all stages of the process, from design to application, as well as prospects for their use in clinical trials and modern medicine.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Nabanita Saikia
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Inorganics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • structural characterization of inorganic biomaterials
  • light-responsive inorganic biomaterials
  • biocompatibility of inorganic biomaterials
  • molecular imaging
  • therapeutic applications of inorganic biomaterials
  • inorganic biomaterial-based medical devices
  • wound healing and regenerative medicine

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 14116 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Ca-Mg Double-Doped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles and Their Drug-Loading and Drug-Releasing Properties
by Qian Zhang, Jiamin Huang, Chao Liu, Ruihua Chen, Tao Jiang, Yusufu Hailili, Telieke Bahetibieke, Xiaohui Tang and Mei Wang
Inorganics 2025, 13(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13010012 - 4 Jan 2025
Viewed by 551
Abstract
Breast cancer is a common clinical malignant tumor that seriously threatens women’s physical and mental health. Chemotherapy, as the first choice of breast cancer treatment, has limited its application in the clinic due to problems of poor stability, short half-life, and serious toxic [...] Read more.
Breast cancer is a common clinical malignant tumor that seriously threatens women’s physical and mental health. Chemotherapy, as the first choice of breast cancer treatment, has limited its application in the clinic due to problems of poor stability, short half-life, and serious toxic side effects. With the emergence of nanotechnology, inorganic materials to prepare mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been widely used in anti-tumor drug carriers. However, their slow degradation rate limits their application in the biomedical field. Therefore, developing low-toxicity MSNs with good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and rapid release at the tumor site is a key scientific issue to be addressed. Here, we prepared DOX-loaded Ca-Mg-doped MSNs by electrostatic adsorption to obtain Ca-Mg@DOX@MSNs with suitable particle sizes and zeta potential, and the incorporation of calcium and magnesium also led to an increase in the degradation rate under acidic conditions and an accelerated release, which reduced the toxicity of DOX and promoted cellular uptake with good anti-tumor effects. This study provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of breast cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Inorganic Biomaterials for Molecular Sensing and Biomedical Applications)
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22 pages, 21927 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial, Optical, and Mechanical Properties of Saliva-Contaminated Silver–Zeolite Nanoparticle-Incorporated Dental Acrylic Resins
by Çisel Kısa Yaman, Necla Demir, Uğur Arslan and Nurullah Çiftçi
Inorganics 2024, 12(10), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12100258 - 25 Sep 2024
Viewed by 915
Abstract
Background and Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the flexural strength, color change and antimicrobial effect of silver–zeolite nanoparticles (NPs) in acrylic resin materials. Methods: Fifty-six disc-shaped acrylic resin samples were divided into four groups (n = 7) according to concentrations of [...] Read more.
Background and Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the flexural strength, color change and antimicrobial effect of silver–zeolite nanoparticles (NPs) in acrylic resin materials. Methods: Fifty-six disc-shaped acrylic resin samples were divided into four groups (n = 7) according to concentrations of silver–zeolite NPs (0%, 2%, 4%, 5%). Discs were contaminated with C. albicans and S. mutans. The antimicrobial effect was tested by inoculating contaminated discs on Tryptic soy agar (TSA), Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), Tryptic soy broth (TSB), and Sabouraud dextrose broth (SDB). Forty rectangular 65 × 10 × 2.5 mm acrylic resin specimens were also classified into four groups (n = 10) according to concentrations of silver–zeolite NPs. For the color change, L, a, and b values of rectangular specimens were examined with a spectrophotometer. A three-point bending test was also performed using a Devotrans device to determine the flexural bond strength of rectangular specimens. Scanning electron microscope analysis (SEM/EDX analysis) was also performed. Results: In this study, the antimicrobial effect increased with the concentration of silver–zeolite NPs added to acrylic resin discs. In our study, adding 2% silver–zeolite NPs was more effective against C. albicans. The antimicrobial effect against S. mutans increased with concentration of silver–zeolite NPs (<0.001). The colonization of C. albicans was significantly reduced by silver–zeolite NPs. A significant increase was observed in the color change as the nanoparticle percentage ratio increased (p < 0.001). The flexural strength values of the groups containing 2% and 4% nanoparticles were found to be clinically acceptable. Conclusions: The study showed that bacterial and fungal colonization is significantly reduced by adding silver–zeolite nanoparticles to acrylic resin discs. Based on its antimicrobial, physical, and mechanical properties, we recommend adding 2% silver–zeolite nanoparticles to the acrylic resin material for optimal results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Inorganic Biomaterials for Molecular Sensing and Biomedical Applications)
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13 pages, 4048 KiB  
Article
Portable Electrochemical Immunosensor Based on a Gold Microblobs-Optimized Screen-Printed Electrode for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis
by Melissa M. Giacomet, Paulo H. M. Buzzetti, Oscar O. S. Junior, Alessandro F. Martins, Elton G. Bonafe and Johny P. Monteiro
Inorganics 2024, 12(9), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12090252 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 894
Abstract
The development of biosensors for determining the most diverse biomolecules is a constant focus of many research groups. There is a latent need to propose sensors that combine portability, simple measurements, and good analytical performance. Here, we propose an electrochemical immunosensor that is [...] Read more.
The development of biosensors for determining the most diverse biomolecules is a constant focus of many research groups. There is a latent need to propose sensors that combine portability, simple measurements, and good analytical performance. Here, we propose an electrochemical immunosensor that is fully portable and energy-independent for diagnosing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Initially, disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPEs) were covered by gold microblobs (AuMBs), which were synthesized amperometrically from Au3+ ions. Then, the SPE-AuMBs were coated with cysteamine, which allowed the N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated SARS-CoV-2 antigen (spike protein) to be immobilized. The antigen-activated electrode was used to detect COVID-19 antibodies from current measurements obtained by differential pulse voltammetry. The AuMBs synthesis time was optimized, and the presence of gold structures improved the electrochemical responses of the SPE. It was possible to quantitatively determine antibodies in the concentration range of 0.25 to 10 µg mL−1. This range includes concentrations found in biological fluids from patients at any stage of the disease. An analysis took approximately the same time as traditional rapid nasal tests (20 min) and costed less, considering all the steps necessary to prepare a disposable antigen-functionalized SPE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Inorganic Biomaterials for Molecular Sensing and Biomedical Applications)
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14 pages, 12579 KiB  
Article
Luminescence Efficiency and Spectral Compatibility of Cerium Fluoride (CeF3) Inorganic Scintillator with Various Optical Sensors in the Diagnostic Radiology X-ray Energy Range
by Vasileios Ntoupis, Christos Michail, Nektarios Kalyvas, Athanasios Bakas, Ioannis Kandarakis, George Fountos and Ioannis Valais
Inorganics 2024, 12(8), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12080230 - 22 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 964
Abstract
The aim of this study was to experimentally assess the luminescence efficiency of a cerium fluoride (CeF3) inorganic scintillator in crystal form as a possible alternative to high-luminescence but hygroscopic cerium bromide (CeBr3). The experiments were performed under typical [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to experimentally assess the luminescence efficiency of a cerium fluoride (CeF3) inorganic scintillator in crystal form as a possible alternative to high-luminescence but hygroscopic cerium bromide (CeBr3). The experiments were performed under typical diagnostic radiology X-rays (50–140 kVp). Parameters such as the crystal’s absolute luminescence efficiency (AE) and the spectral matching with a series of optical detectors were examined. The replacement of bromine with fluorine appeared to drastically reduce the AE of CeF3 compared to CeBr3 and other commercially available inorganic scintillators such as bismuth germanate (Bi4Ge3O12-BGO). CeF3 reaches a maximum luminescence efficiency value of only 0.8334 efficiency units (EUs) at 140 kVp, whereas the corresponding values for CeBr3 and BGO were 29.49 and 3.41, respectively. Furthermore, the emission maximum (at around 313 nm) moved towards the lower part of the visible spectrum, making CeF3 suitable for spectral coupling with various photocathodes and photomultipliers applied in nuclear medicine detectors, but completely unsuitable for spectral matching with CCDs and CMOS. The obtained luminescence efficiency results denote that CeF3 cannot be applied in medical imaging applications covering the range 50–140 kVp; however, examination of its luminescence output in the nuclear medicine energy range (~70 to 511 keV) could reveal possible applicability in these modalities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Inorganic Biomaterials for Molecular Sensing and Biomedical Applications)
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15 pages, 5807 KiB  
Article
Biodegradable Ca2+ Doped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Promote Chemotherapy Synergism with Calcicoptosis and Activate Anti-Tumor Immunity
by Chao Liu, Xiaohui Tang and Gaofei Huang
Inorganics 2024, 12(6), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12060152 - 31 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1031
Abstract
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), an excellent carrier material, have been widely used in tumor therapy as a vector for numerous therapeutic substances to boost therapeutical efficiency and specificity, such as loading them with chemotherapy drugs to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. Nevertheless, they [...] Read more.
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), an excellent carrier material, have been widely used in tumor therapy as a vector for numerous therapeutic substances to boost therapeutical efficiency and specificity, such as loading them with chemotherapy drugs to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. Nevertheless, they still face hurdles, such as lack of specificity and poor efficacy of monotherapy. The construction of multifunctional MSNs with excellent therapeutic effects by introducing metal ions has attracted the attention of many researchers. Herein, we demonstrated a calcium doped, chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (Dox) loaded, specific degradation nanoplatform, prepared using the sol–gel method by introducing calcium ions into an MSN framework, which enabled the doped nanoplatform to enhance chemotherapy and activate anti-tumor immune response. As a proof of concept, the doping of Ca2+ endowed MSNs with excellent specific degradation and pH responsive drug release, and enabled the synergy of chemotherapy and calcicoptosis. Furthermore, this nanoplatform also effectively elicited immunogenic cell death (ICD) and promoted the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), realizing the activation of the anti-tumor immune system. The Ca2+ doped MSNs (CMSNs), that can activate immune response with specific degradation capability, demonstrate a practical strategy for the effective synergy between chemotherapy and calcicoptosis, providing a new paradigm for promoting chemotherapy-related treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Inorganic Biomaterials for Molecular Sensing and Biomedical Applications)
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Review

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39 pages, 8913 KiB  
Review
Inorganic-Based Nanoparticles and Biomaterials as Biocompatible Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering: Current Advances and Trends of Development
by Nabanita Saikia
Inorganics 2024, 12(11), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12110292 - 11 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1782
Abstract
Regenerative medicine amalgamates stem cell technology and tissue engineering strategies to replace tissues and organs damaged by injury, aging, ailment, and/or chronic conditions by leveraging the innate self-healing mechanism of the body. The term ‘regenerative medicine’ was coined by William A. Haseltine during [...] Read more.
Regenerative medicine amalgamates stem cell technology and tissue engineering strategies to replace tissues and organs damaged by injury, aging, ailment, and/or chronic conditions by leveraging the innate self-healing mechanism of the body. The term ‘regenerative medicine’ was coined by William A. Haseltine during a 1999 conference on Lake Como. Since its inception in 1968, the field has offered clinical benefits for the regeneration, repair, and restoration of bones, skin, cartilage, neural tissue, and the heart, as well as scaffold fabrication. The field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine can vastly benefit from advancements in nanoscience and technology, particularly in the fabrication and application of inorganic-based nanoparticles and bionanomaterials. Due to the tunable intrinsic properties, i.e., size, topography, surface charge, and chemical stability, inorganic-based nanoparticles and biomaterials have surpassed traditional synthetic materials. Given the wide gamut of near-future applications of inorganic nanoparticles and biomaterials, this article gives an overview of the emerging roles in stem cell regenerative research, tissue engineering, artificial skin and cartilage regeneration, neural nerve injuries, 3D bioprinting, and development of new inorganic bio-scaffolds. The review also addresses the challenges related to the clinical application and tissue compatibility of inorganic nanoparticles and biomaterials, utilizing current state-of-the-art techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Inorganic Biomaterials for Molecular Sensing and Biomedical Applications)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Ca-, Li-, and Cu-salicilate borate compounds for applications in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Authors: Domenica Marabello
Affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy
Abstract: In this work we synthetized and characterized new crystalline metal organic materials with boron, for application in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, of formula [Ca(H2O)6](C14H8O6B)2 (CaSB), [Li(C14H8O6B)(H2O)] (LiSB), and [Cu(C14H8O6B)] (CuSB). They can be synthetized with the natural 10B isotopes, that can be used in Neutron Capture Therapy (NCT) for anti-cancer treatment. Furthermore, the compound LiSB can be synthetized also with the natural 6Li isotope, which can also capture neutrons and leave high energies into cells. The compound CuSB, instead, was synthetized, since it known that the presence of the metal Cu magnifies the effect of the neutron radiation into cells. The structures of the compounds were determined with the single crystal X-ray Diffraction technique, and the energies released in the cells by small nanoparticles of the compounds were estimated. Keyword: salicilate borate compounds, Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, Nanoparticles, X-ray diffraction, anti-cancer treatment

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