(31j) Engineering Nanomaterials for Therapeutic Imaging, Smart Drug Delivery, and 3D Bioprinting

Nanomaterials have significantly advanced various biomedical applications ranging from diagnostic imaging to targeted drug delivery, and 3D-bioprinting for tissue engineering. This talk includes three innovative platforms empowered by novel nanomaterials: corona phase molecular recognition for biomarker detection, biomimetic coacervates for enzyme-responsive drug delivery, and 3D-bioprinted human skins.

First, I will introduce the concept of corona phase molecular recognition which utilizes a fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotube and polymer libraries for target biomarker detection. Our nanosensors, selected based on sensitivity and selectivity, were grafted onto a medical catheter to produce biomedical chemical imaging maps for monitoring inflammation and other diseases.

Second, I will introduce the concept of biomimetic coacervates. Nano- and Micro- sized coacervates were developed via the self-assembly of heparin glycosaminoglycan with mussel-inspired peptides. These coacervates involved a thrombin-recognition site within their peptide building block, resulting in the controlled drug release upon proteolysis. Furthermore, polyphenols were further integrated into the coacervates to improve colloidal stability in complex biofluids.

Lastly, I will discuss 3D bioprinting as a tool to recreate human skin. Human skin was 3D-bioprinted using collagen and synthetic melanin. Synthetic melanin nanoparticles were engineered to match their shape, size, and absorption and scattering coefficients with real melanosomes, producing similar optical properties to real-human skin. The impact of human skin tone on multiple biomedical optics was evaluated, producing quantitative data to reduce racial-based bias in biomedical optical imaging. Engineering nanomaterials holds significant impact to enhance current diagnostic and therapeutic platforms for global human health.