Bacteriophage nanofiber fabrication using near field electrospinning

Engineered M13 phage as a novel therapeutic bionanomaterial for clinical applications: From tissue regeneration to cancer therapy

Bacteriophages (phages) are nanostructured viruses with highly selective antibacterial properties that have gained attention beyond eliminating bacteria. Specifically, M13 phages are filamentous phages that have recently been studied in various aspects of nanomedicine due to their biological advantages and more compliant engineering capabilities over other phages. Having nanofiber-like morphology, M13 phages can reach varied target sites and self-assemble into multidimensional scaffolds in a relatively safe and stable way. In addition, genetic modification of the coat proteins enables specific display of peptides and antibodies on the phages, allowing for precise and individualized medicine. M13 phages have also been subjected to novel engineering approaches, including phage-based bionanomaterial engineering and phage-directed nanomaterial combinations that enhance the bionanomaterial properties of M13 phages. In view of these features, researchers have been able to utilize M13 phages for therapeutic applications such as drug delivery, biodetection, tissue regeneration, and targeted cancer therapy. In particular, M13 phages have been utilized as a novel bionanomaterial for precisely mimicking natural tissue environment in order to overcome the shortage in tissue and organ donors. Hence, in this review, we address the recent studies and advances of using M13 phages in the field of nanomedicine as therapeutic agents based upon their characteristics as novel bionanomaterial with biomolecules displayed. This paper also emphasizes the novel engineering approach that enhances M13 phage's bionanomaterial capabilities. Current limitations and future approaches are also discussed to provide insight in further progress for M13 phage-based clinical applications.

Engineered Phage-Based Cancer Vaccines: Current Advances and Future Directions

Bacteriophages have emerged as versatile tools in the field of bioengineering, with enormous potential in tissue engineering, vaccine development, and immunotherapy. The genetic makeup of phages can be harnessed for the development of novel DNA vaccines and antigen display systems, as they can provide a highly organized and repetitive presentation of antigens to immune cells. Bacteriophages have opened new possibilities for the targeting of specific molecular determinants of cancer cells. Phages can be used as anticancer agents and carriers of imaging molecules and therapeutics. In this review, we explored the role of bacteriophages and bacteriophage engineering in targeted cancer therapy. The question of how the engineered bacteriophages can interact with the biological and immunological systems is emphasized to comprehend the underlying mechanism of phage use in cancer immunotherapy. The effectiveness of phage display technology in identifying high-affinity ligands for substrates, such as cancer cells and tumor-associated molecules, and the emerging field of phage engineering and its potential in the development of effective cancer treatments are discussed. We also highlight phage usage in clinical trials as well as the related patents. This review provides a new insight into engineered phage-based cancer vaccines.

Near-Field Electrospinning: Crucial Parameters, Challenges, and Applications

Near-field electrospinning (NFES) is a micro- or nanofiber production technology based on jetting molten polymer or polymer solution. Thanks to the programmable collector and nozzle movement, it can generate designed patterns in the presence of an electric field. Despite a few shortcomings of NFES, its high resolution, simplicity, precision, high throughput, reproducibility, and low costs have convinced researchers to employ it for various purposes. Furthermore, as the paradigm of fiber-based structures shifts from random textures toward delicate designs, NFES can bridge the gap between existing inefficient processes and aspired technologies for precise patterning. NFES facilitates the production of ultrafine nanofibers because it can be used to fabricate them in every laboratory. These robust fibers are convenient tools for small and additive manufacturing. As such, NFES is considered a potent additive fabrication technology that facilitates the production of complicated patterns as well. It is suggested that near-field electrospun fibers exhibit outstanding results in various applications, owing to their precise and controllable positioning. Meanwhile, the ongoing development of NFES has yet to reach its climax, making it attractive for further research. In this review, the basic principles of NFES, derivatives, limitations, and applications in nanomanufacturing, tissue engineering, microscale electronics, biosensors, and optics are presented.

Stimuli Responsive, Programmable DNA Nanodevices for Biomedical Applications

Of the multiple areas of applications of DNA nanotechnology, stimuli-responsive nanodevices have emerged as an elite branch of research owing to the advantages of molecular programmability of DNA structures and stimuli-responsiveness of motifs and DNA itself. These classes of devices present multiples areas to explore for basic and applied science using dynamic DNA nanotechnology. Herein, we take the stake in the recent progress of this fast-growing sub-area of DNA nanotechnology. We discuss different stimuli, motifs, scaffolds, and mechanisms of stimuli-responsive behaviours of DNA nanodevices with appropriate examples. Similarly, we present a multitude of biological applications that have been explored using DNA nanodevices, such as biosensing, in vivo pH-mapping, drug delivery, and therapy. We conclude by discussing the challenges and opportunities as well as future prospects of this emerging research area within DNA nanotechnology.

Comparative Analysis of Fiber Alignment Methods in Electrospinning

Fabrication of anisotropic materials is highly desirable in designing biomaterials and tissue engineered constructs. Electrospinning has been broadly adopted due to its versatility in producing non-woven fibrous meshes with tunable fiber diameters (from 10 nanometers to 10 microns), microarchitectures, and construct geometries. A myriad of approaches have been utilized to control fiber alignment of electrospun materials to achieve complex microarchitectures, improve mechanical properties, and provide topographical cellular cues. This review provides a comparative analysis of the techniques developed to generate fiber alignment in electrospun materials. A description of the underlying mechanisms that drive fiber alignment, setup variations for each technique, and the resulting impact on the aligned microarchitecture is provided. A critical analysis of the advantages and limitations of each approach is provided to guide researchers in method selection. Finally, future perspectives of advanced electrospinning methodologies are discussed in terms of developing a scalable method with precise control of microarchitecture.