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Abstract Synthetic cells are engineered vesicles that can mimic one or more salient features of life. These features include directed localization, sense‐and‐respond behavior, gene expression, metabolism, and high stability. In nanomedicine, many of these features are desirable capabilities of drug delivery vehicles but are difficult to engineer. In this focus article, we discuss where synthetic cells offer unique advantages over nanoparticle and living cell therapies. We review progress in the engineering of the above life‐like behaviors and how they are deployed in nanomedicine. Finally, we assess key challenges synthetic cells face before being deployed as drugs and suggest ways to overcome these challenges. This article is categorized under:Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging TechnologiesBiology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid‐Based Structures
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Protein crystal based materials for nanoscale applications in medicine and biotechnology
The porosity, order, biocompatibility, and chirality of protein crystals has motivated interest from diverse research domains including materials science, biotechnology, and medicine. Porous protein crystals have the unusual potential to organize guest molecules within highly ordered scaffolds, enabling applications ranging from biotemplating and catalysis to biosensing and drug delivery. Significant research has therefore been directed toward characterizing protein crystal materials in hopes of optimizing crystallization, scaffold stability, and application efficacy. In this overview article, we describe recent progress in the field of protein crystal materials with special attention given to applications in nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology. This article is categorized under:Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus‐Based StructuresTherapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging TechnologiesToxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
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- PAR ID:
- 10371044
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- WIREs Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology
- Volume:
- 11
- Issue:
- 4
- ISSN:
- 1939-5116
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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