Carbon nanotubes gathered onto silica particles lose their biomimetic properties with the cytoskeleton becoming biocompatible

Biodegradable silica nanoparticles for efficient linear DNA gene delivery

Targeting, safety, scalability, and storage stability of vectors are still challenges in the field of nucleic acid delivery for gene therapy. Silica-based nanoparticles have been widely studied as gene carriers, exhibiting key features such as biocompatibility, simplistic synthesis, and enabling easy surface modifications for targeting. However, the ability of the formulation to incorporate DNA is limited, which restricts the number of DNA molecules that can be incorporated into the particle, thereby reducing gene expression. Here we use polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-generated linear DNA molecules to augment the coding sequences of gene-carrying nanoparticles, thereby maximizing nucleic acid loading and minimizing the size of these nanocarriers. This approach results in a remarkable 16-fold increase in protein expression six days post-transfection in cells transfected with particles carrying the linear DNA compared with particles bearing circular plasmid DNA. The study also showed that the use of linear DNA entrapped in DNA@SiO2 resulted in a much more efficient level of gene expression compared to standard transfection reagents. The system developed in this study features simplicity, scalability, and increased transfection efficiency and gene expression over existing approaches, enabled by improved embedment capabilities for linear DNA, compared to conventional methods such as lipids or polymers, which generally show greater transfection efficiency with plasmid DNA. Therefore, this novel methodology can find applications not only in gene therapy but also in research settings for high-throughput gene expression screenings.

Electrically conductive coatings in tissue engineering

Recent interest in tissue engineering (TE) has focused on electrically conductive biomaterials. This has been inspired by the characteristics of the cells' microenvironment where signalling is supported by electrical stimulation. Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive influence of electrical stimulation on cell excitation to proliferate, differentiate, and deposit extracellular matrix. Even without external electrical stimulation, research shows that electrically active scaffolds can improve tissue regeneration capacity. Tissues like bone, muscle, and neural contain electrically excitable cells that respond to electrical cues provided by implanted biomaterials. To introduce an electrical pathway, TE scaffolds can incorporate conductive polymers, metallic nanoparticles, and ceramic nanostructures. However, these materials often do not meet implantation criteria, such as maintaining mechanical durability and degradation characteristics, making them unsuitable as scaffold matrices. Instead, depositing conductive layers on TE scaffolds has shown promise as an efficient alternative to creating electrically conductive structures. A stratified scaffold with an electroactive surface synergistically excites the cells through active top-pathway, with/without electrical stimulation, providing an ideal matrix for cell growth, proliferation, and tissue deposition. Additionally, these conductive coatings can be enriched with bioactive or pharmaceutical components to enhance the scaffold's biomedical performance. This review covers recent developments in electrically active biomedical coatings for TE. The physicochemical and biological properties of conductive coating materials, including polymers (polypyrrole, polyaniline and PEDOT:PSS), metallic nanoparticles (gold, silver) and inorganic (ceramic) particles (carbon nanotubes, graphene-based materials and Mxenes) are examined. Each section explores the conductive coatings' deposition techniques, deposition parameters, conductivity ranges, deposit morphology, cell responses, and toxicity levels in detail. Furthermore, the applications of these conductive layers, primarily in bone, muscle, and neural TE are considered, and findings from in vitro and in vivo investigations are presented. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds are crucial for human tissue replacement and acceleration of healing. Neural, muscle, bone, and skin tissues have electrically excitable cells, and their regeneration can be enhanced by electrically conductive scaffolds. However, standalone conductive materials often fall short for TE applications. An effective approach involves coating scaffolds with a conductive layer, finely tuning surface properties while leveraging the scaffold's innate biological and physical support. Further enhancement is achieved by modifying the conductive layer with pharmaceutical components. This review explores the under-reviewed topic of conductive coatings in tissue engineering, introducing conductive biomaterial coatings and analyzing their biological interactions. It provides insights into enhancing scaffold functionality for tissue regeneration, bridging a critical gap in current literature.

Carbon-Based Nanomaterials as Drug Delivery Agents for Colorectal Cancer: Clinical Preface to Colorectal Cancer Citing Their Markers and Existing Theranostic Approaches

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the universally established cancers with a higher incidence rate. Novel progression toward cancer prevention and cancer care among countries in transition should be considered seriously for controlling CRC. Hence, several cutting edge technologies are ongoing for high performance cancer therapeutics over the past few decades. Several drug-delivery systems of the nanoregime are relatively new in this arena compared to the previous treatment modes such as chemo- or radiotherapy to mitigate cancer. Based on this background, the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, treatment possibilities, and theragnostic markers for CRC were revealed. Since the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for the management of CRC has been less studied, the present review analyzes the preclinical studies on the application of carbon nanotubes for drug delivery and CRC therapy owing to their inherent properties. It also investigates the toxicity of CNTs on normal cells for safety testing and the clinical use of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) for tumor localization. To conclude, this review recommends the clinical application of carbon-based nanomaterials further for the management of CRC in diagnosis and as carriers or therapeutic adjuvants.

Carbon Nanotubes as Carriers in Drug Delivery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Mechanistic Analysis of Their Carcinogenic Potential, Safety Profiling and Identification of Biomarkers

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a global burden leading to millions of deaths worldwide every year. Nanomedicine refers to the use of materials at the nanoscale for drug delivery and subsequent therapeutic approaches in cancer. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are widely used as nanocarriers for therapeutic molecules such as plasmids, siRNAs, antisense agents, aptamers and molecules related to the immunotherapy for several cancers. They are usually functionalized and loaded with standard drug molecules to improve their therapeutic efficiency. Functionalization and drug loading possibly decrease the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of CNTs. In addition, the targeted cytotoxic properties of the drug improve and undesired toxicity decreases after drug loading and/or conjugation with proteins, including antibodies. For intended drug delivery, a lysosomal pH of 5.5 is more suitable and effective for the slow and extended release of cytotoxic drugs than a physiological of pH 7.4. Remarkably, CNTs possess intrinsic antitumor properties and are usually internalized by endocytosis. After being internalized, several mechanisms are involved in the therapeutic and carcinogenic effects of CNTs. They are generally safe for therapy, and their toxicity profile remains dependent on their physicochemical properties. Moreover, the dose, route, duration of exposure, surface properties and degradative potential determine the toxicity outcomes of CNTs locally or systemically. In summary, the use of CNTs in drug delivery and NSCLC therapy, as well as their genotoxic and carcinogenic potential and the possible mechanisms, has been discussed in this review. The therapeutic index is generally high for NSCLC cells treated with drug-loaded CNTs; therefore, they are effective carriers in implementing targeted therapy for NSCLC.

Dysfunction of endothelial cells exposed to nanomaterials assessed by atomic force spectroscopy

The study of the impact of nanomaterials on endothelial cell elasticity with the atomic force spectroscopy (AFS) can be a significant model for assessing nanomaterials toxic effects in vitro. The mechanical properties of cells exposed to nanostructures can provide information not only about cellular nano and micro-structure, but also about cell physiology. The toxicity of nanostructures is an important issue which must be carefully considered when the optimal nanomaterial is defined. There are no universal properties characterizing such a nanomaterial, i.e. depending on the intended use, the requirements can be diverse. For example, for biomedical use a nanomaterial should not negatively affect the cells or should cause the expected therapeutic or diagnostic effects in justified cases. The present study was devoted to the effects of silver nanoparticles (SNPs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers of 4th generation on functioning of endothelial cells. Immortalized endothelial cells were exposed for 24 h to the tested nanomaterials used in concentrations reducing cellular viability to the levels of 90 % and 75 %. The innovative nature of our work is the comparison of cell elasticity performed with various AFS probes, which enabled detection of local and global elasticity alteration caused by the nanostructures. The obtained results demonstrated changes in elasticity of endothelial cell induced by the nanostructures, which were closely correlated with the level of cellular viability, forming of actin stress fibres and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species. Trend of changes in local and global elasticity of cells exposed to nanostructures was similar, but the magnitude of the response was dependent on the selected probe. SNPs and MWCNTs evoked cells stiffening, which was correlated with changes in production levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the cytoskeletal alteration. Softening of cells exposed to PAMAM dendrimers correlated with increased number of apoptotic cells and ROS production levels. Based on the obtained results we conclude, that the structure and the type of nanostructure (nanoparticle) is essential for their localization inside the cells and for the toxic effect on the endothelial cells.

Design of Polymeric and Biocompatible Delivery Systems by Dissolving Mesoporous Silica Templates

There are many nanoencapsulation systems available today. Among all these, mesoporous silica particles (MSPs) have received great attention in the last few years. Their large surface-to-volume ratio, biocompatibility, and versatility allow the encapsulation of a wide variety of drugs inside their pores. However, their chemical instability in biological fluids is a handicap to program the precise release of the therapeutic compounds. Taking advantage of the dissolving capacity of silica, in this study, we generate hollow capsules using MSPs as transitory sacrificial templates. We show how, upon MSP coating with different polyelectrolytes or proteins, fully customized hollow shells can be produced. These capsules are biocompatible, flexible, and biodegradable, and can be decorated with nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes to endow the systems with supplementary intrinsic properties. We also fill the capsules with a fluorescent dye to demonstrate intracellular compound release. Finally, we document how fluorescent polymeric capsules are engulfed by cells, releasing their encapsulated agent during the first 96 h. In summary, here, we describe how to assemble a highly versatile encapsulation structure based on silica mesoporous cores that are completely removed from the final polymeric capsule system. These drug encapsulation systems are highly customizable and have great versatility as they can be made using silica cores of different sizes and multiple coatings. This provides capsules with unique programmable attributes that are fully customizable according to the specific needs of each disease or target tissue for the development of nanocarriers in personalized medicine.

Microtubule cytoskeleton-disrupting activity of MWCNTs: applications in cancer treatment

Microtubules and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and more particularly multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs), share many mechanical and morphological similarities that prompt their association into biosynthetic tubulin filaments both, in vitro and in vivo. Unlike CNTs, microtubules are highly dynamic protein polymers that, upon interaction with these nanomaterials, display enhanced stability that has critical consequences at the cellular level. Among others, CNTs prompt ectopic (acentrosomal) microtubule nucleation and the disassembly of the centrosome, causing a dramatic cytoskeletal reorganization. These changes in the microtubule pattern trigger the generation of ineffective biomechanical forces that result in migration defects, and ultimately in spindle-assembly checkpoint (SAC) blockage and apoptosis. In this review, we describe the molecular mechanism involved in the intrinsic interference of CNTs with the microtubule dynamics and illustrate the consequences of this effect on cell biomechanics. We also discuss the potential application of these synthetic microtubule-stabilizing agents as synergetic agents to boost the effect of classical chemotherapy that includes spindle poisons (i.e. paclitaxel) or DNA interfering agents (5-fluorouracil)-, and list some of the advantages of the use of MWCNTs as adjuvant agents in preventing cell resistance to chemotherapy.

Development of an accurate method for dispersion and quantification of carbon nanotubes in biological media

Understanding the biological effects triggered by nanomaterials is crucial, not only in nanomedicine but also in toxicology. The dose-response relation is relevant in biological tests due to its use for determining appropriate dosages for drugs and toxicity limits. Carbon nanotubes can trigger numerous unusual biological effects, many of which could have unique applications in biotechnology and medicine. However, their resuspension in saline solutions and the accurate determination of their concentration after dispersion in biological media are major handicaps to identify the magnitude of the response of organisms as a function of this exposure. This difficulty has led to inconsistent results and misinterpretations of their in vivo behavior, limiting their potential use in nanomedicine. The lack of a suitable protocol that allows comparing different studies of the content of carbon nanotubes and their adequate resuspension in culture cell media gives rise to this study. Here, we describe a methodology to functionalize, resuspend and determine the carbon nanotube concentration in biocompatible media based on UV-Vis spectroscopy. This method allows us to accurately estimate the concentration of these resuspended carbon nanotubes, after removing bundles and micrometric aggregates, which can be used as a calibration standard, for dosage-dependent studies in biological systems. This method can also be extended to any other nanomaterial to properly quantify the actual concentration.

Multimodal Mesoporous Silica Nanocarriers for Dual Stimuli-Responsive Drug Release and Excellent Photothermal Ablation of Cancer Cells

Background

Core-shell types of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with multimodal functionalities were developed for bio-imaging, controlled drug release associated with external pH, and near-infrared radiation (NIR) stimuli, and targeted and effective chemo-photothermal therapeutics.

Materials and Methods

We synthesized and developed a core-shell type of mesoporous silica nanocarriers for fluorescent imaging, stimuli-responsive drug release, magnetic separation, antibody targeting, and chemo-photothermal therapeutics. Also, the biocompatibility, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and photothermal therapy on these FS3-based nanocarriers were systematically investigated.

Results

Magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles was prepared by coating a Fe₃O₄ core with a mesoporous silica shell, followed by grafting with fluorescent conjugates, so-called FS3. The resulting FM3 was preloaded with therapeutic cisplatin and coated with polydopamine layer, so-called FS3P/C. Eventually, graphene oxide-wrapped FS3P/C (FS3P-G/C) exhibited high sensitivity in the dual stimuli (pH, NIR)-responsive controlled release behavior. On the other hand, Au NPs-coated FS3P/C (FS3P-A/C) exhibited more stable release behavior, irrespective of pH changes, and exhibited much more enhanced release rate under the same NIR irradiation. Notably, FS3P-A/C showed strong NIR absorption, enabling photothermal destruction of HeLa cells by its chemo-photothermal therapeutic effects under NIR irradiation (808 nm, 1.5 W/cm²). The selective uptake of FS3-based nanocarriers was confirmed in cancer cell lines including HeLa (American Type Culture Collection - ATCC) and SHSY5Y (ATCC 2266) by the images obtained from confocal laser scanning microscopy, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy instruments. Cisplatin-free FS3-based nanocarriers revealed good cellular uptake and low cytotoxicity against cancerous HeLa and SH-SY5Y cells, but showed no obvious toxicity to normal HEK293 (ATCC 1573) cell.

Conclusion

Along with the facile synthesis of FS3-based nanocarriers, the integration of all these strategies into one single unit will be a prospective candidate for biomedical applications, especially in chemo-photothermal therapeutics, targeted delivery, and stimuli-responsive controlled drug release against multiple cancer cell types.

Engineering Sub-Cellular Targeting Strategies to Enhance Safe Cytosolic Silica Particle Dissolution in Cells

Mesoporous silica particles (MSP) are major candidates for drug delivery systems due to their versatile, safe, and controllable nature. Understanding their intracellular route and biodegradation process is a challenge, especially when considering their use in neuronal repair. Here, we characterize the spatiotemporal intracellular destination and degradation pathways of MSP upon endocytosis by HeLa cells and NSC-34 motor neurons using confocal and electron microscopy imaging together with inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy analysis. We demonstrate how MSP are captured by receptor-mediated endocytosis and are temporarily stored in endo-lysosomes before being finally exocytosed. We also illustrate how particles are often re-endocytosed after undergoing surface erosion extracellularly. On the other hand, silica particles engineered to target the cytosol with a carbon nanotube coating, are safely dissolved intracellularly in a time scale of hours. These studies provide fundamental clues for programming the sub-cellular fate of MSP and reveal critical aspects to improve delivery strategies and to favor MSP safe elimination. We also demonstrate how the cytosol is significantly more corrosive than lysosomes for MSP and show how their biodegradation is fully biocompatible, thus, validating their use as nanocarriers for nervous system cells, including motor neurons.

Nanomaterials Used in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage: An Up-to-Date Overview

In the last few years, the preservation of cultural heritage has become an important issue globally, due to the fact that artifacts and monuments are continually threatened by degradation. It is thus very important to find adequate consolidators that are capable of saving and maintaining the natural aspect of these objects. This study aims to provide an updated survey of the main nanomaterials used for the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. In the last few years, besides the classic nanomaterials used in this field, such as metal nanoparticles (copper and silver) and metal oxides (zinc and aluminum), hydroxyapatite and carbonated derivatives, tubular nanomaterials (such as carbon nanotubes) have been used as a potential consolidate material of cultural heritage. Tubular nanomaterials have attracted attention for use in different fields due to their structures, as well as their ability to present multiple walls. These nanotubes have the necessary properties in preserving cultural heritage, such as superior mechanical and elastic strength (even higher than steel), high hydrophobicity (with a contact angle up to 140°), optical properties (high photodegradation protection), large specific surface area (from 50 to 1315 m2/g, depending on the number of walls) for absorption of other nanomaterials and relatively good biocompatibility.

Dye-doped biodegradable nanoparticle SiO2 coating on zinc- and iron-oxide nanoparticles to improve biocompatibility and for in vivo imaging studies

In vivo imaging and therapy represent one of the most promising areas in nanomedicine. Particularly, the identification and localization of nanomaterials within cells and tissues are key issues to understand their interaction with biological components, namely their cell internalization route, intracellular destination, therapeutic activity and possible cytotoxicity. Here, we show the development of multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) by providing luminescent functionality to zinc and iron oxide NPs. We describe simple synthesis methods based on modified Stöber procedures to incorporate fluorescent molecules on the surface of oxide NPs. These procedures involve the successful coating of NPs with size-controlled amorphous silica (SiO₂) shells incorporating standard chromophores like fluorescein, rhodamine B or rhodamine B isothiocyanate. Specifically, spherical Fe₃O₄ NPs with an average size of 10 nm and commercial ZnO NPs (ca. 130 nm), both coated with an amorphous SiO₂ shell of ca. 15 and 24 nm thickness, respectively, are presented. The magnetic nanoparticles, with a major presence of magnetite, show negligible coercitivity. Hence, interactions (dipolar) are very weak and the cores are in the superparamagnetic regime. Spectroscopic measurements confirm the presence of fluorescent molecules within the SiO₂ shell, making these hybrid NPs suitable for bioimaging. Thus, our coating procedures improve NP dispersibility in physiological media and allow the identification and localization of intracellular ZnO and Fe₃O₄ NPs using confocal microscopy imaging preserving the fluorescence of the NP. We demonstrate how both Fe₃O₄ and ZnO NPs coated with luminescent SiO₂ are internalized and accumulated in the cell cytoplasm after 24 hours. Besides, the SiO₂ shell provides a platform for further functionalization that enables the design of targeted therapeutic strategies. Finally, we studied the degradation of the shell in different physiological environments, pointing out that the SiO₂ coating is stable enough to reach the target cells maintaining its original structure. Degradation took place only 24 hours after exposure to different media.

Characterization of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Leishmanicidal Activities of Schiff Base Derivatives of 4-Aminoantipyrine

Our main interest is the characterization of compounds to support the development of alternatives to currently marketed drugs that are losing effectiveness due to the development of resistance. Schiff bases are promising biologically interesting compounds having a wide range of pharmaceutical properties, including anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and antimicrobial activities, among others. In this work, we have synthesized 12 Schiff base derivatives of 4-aminoantipyrine. In vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity properties are analyzed, as well as in silico predictive adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) and bioactivity scores. Results identify two potential Schiff bases: one effective against E. faecalis and the other with antioxidant activity. Both have reasonable ADME scores and provides a scaffold for developing more effective compounds in the future. Initial studies are usually limited to laboratory in vitro approaches, and following these initial studies, much research is needed before a drug can reach the clinic. Nevertheless, these laboratory approaches are mandatory and constitute a first filter to discriminate among potential drug candidates and chemical compounds that should be discarded.

Controlled drug delivery systems for cancer based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles

The implementation of nanotechnology in medicine has opened new research horizons particularly in the field of therapeutic delivery. Mesoporous silica particles have emerged as biocompatible drug delivery systems with an enormous potential in the treatment of cancer among many other pathologies. In this review, we focus on the unique properties of these particles as chemotherapy delivery carriers. Here, we summarize the general characteristics of these nanomaterials - including their physicochemical properties and customizable surfaces - different stimuli that can be used to trigger targeted drug release, biocompatibility and finally, the drawbacks of these types of nanomaterials, highlighting some of the most important features of mesoporous silica nanoparticles in drug delivery.

Recent advances in the use of carbon nanotubes as smart biomaterials

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have remarkable mechanical, thermal, electronic, and biological properties due to their particular atomic structure made of graphene sheets that are rolled into cylindrical tubes. Due to their outstanding properties, CNTs have been used in several technological fields. Currently, the most prominent research area of CNTs focuses on biomedical applications, using these materials to produce hybrid biosensors, drug delivery systems, and high performance composites for implants. Although a great number of research studies have already shown the advantages of CNT-based biomedical devices, their clinical use for in vivo application has not been consummated. Concerns related to their toxicity, biosafety, and biodegradation still remain. The effect of CNTs on the human body and the ecosystem is not well established, especially due to the lack of standardization of toxicological tests, which generate contradictions in the results. CNTs' toxicity must be clarified to enable the medical use of these exceptional materials in the near future. In this review, we summarize recent advances in developing biosensors, drug delivery systems, and implants using CNTs as smart biomaterials to identify pathogens, load/deliver drugs and enhance the mechanical and antimicrobial performance of implants.

Advances in Carbon Nanotubes for Malignant Melanoma: A Chance for Treatment

Malignant melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with limited therapeutic options. Cancer is the second largest cause of death in society and one of the most difficult diseases to treat. Advances in biotechnology have enabled the current use of nanotechnology via the application of nanomaterials, especially as drug delivery systems for the transportation of very small particles. In this context, carbon nanotubes, with a potential role in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, are still an emerging research field. Their properties have been extensively studied for the use of antineoplastics drugs, as well as for DNA and RNA interference for the treatment of cancer. However, the most important challenge in nanomedicine is to decrease the toxicity and increase the biocompatibility of the nanomaterials used to transport therapeutic molecules. In this sense, this article addresses the recent advances in the use of carbon nanotubes in melanoma therapy and highlights the opportunities and challenges in this area. The advances and challenges involving these topics are essential to the success of nanoconjugate systems, and studies improving the comprehension of these nanosystems contribute to the development of specific antitumor therapies.

Tobacco Mosaic Virus-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles, a Wool-Ball-like Nanostructure for Drug Delivery

The design of versatile tools to improve cell targeting and drug delivery in medicine has become increasingly pertinent to nanobiotechnology. Biological and inorganic nanocarrier drug delivery systems are being explored, showing advantages and disadvantages in terms of cell targeting and specificity, cell internalization, efficient payload delivery, and safety profiles. Combining the properties of a biological coating on top of an inorganic nanocarrier, we hypothesize that this hybrid system would improve nanoparticle-cell interactions, resulting in enhanced cell targeting and uptake properties compared to the bare inorganic nanocarrier. Toward this goal, we engineered a hierarchical assembly featuring the functionalization of cargo-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as a biological coating. The MSNP functions as a delivery system because the porous structure enables high therapeutic payload capacity, and TMV serves as a biocompatible coating to enhance cell interactions. The resulting MSNP@TMV nanohybrids have a wool-ball-like appearance and demonstrate enhanced cell uptake, hence cargo delivery properties. The MSNP@TMV have potential for medical applications such as drug delivery, contrast agent imaging, and immunotherapy.

A Biomimetic Escape Strategy for Cytoplasm Invasion by Synthetic Particles

The translocation of nanomaterials or complex delivery systems into the cytosol is a major challenge in nanobiotechnology. After receptor-mediated endocytosis, most nanomaterials are sequestered and undergo degradation, therapy inactivation, or exocytosis. Herein we explore a novel surface particle coating made of adsorbed carbon nanotubes that provides coated materials with new properties that reproduce the viral cell-invasive mechanisms, namely, receptor-mediated endocytosis, endolysosomal escape, and cytosolic particle release preserving cell viability. This novel biomimetic coating design will enable the intracytoplasmic delivery of many different functional materials endowed with therapeutic, magnetic, optical, or catalytic functionalities, thus opening the door to a wide array of chemical and physical processes within the cytosolic or nuclear domains, and supporting new developments in the biotechnological, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries.