Identifying factors controlling cellular uptake of gold nanoparticles by machine learning

There is strong interest to improve the therapeutic potential of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) while ensuring their safe development. The utility of GNPs in medicine requires a molecular-level understanding of how GNPs interact with biological systems. Despite considerable research efforts devoted to monitoring the internalisation of GNPs, there is still insufficient understanding of the factors responsible for the variability in GNP uptake in different cell types. Data-driven models are useful for identifying the sources of this variability. Here, we trained multiple machine learning models on 2077 data points for 193 individual nanoparticles from 59 independent studies to predict cellular uptake level of GNPs and compared different algorithms for their efficacies of prediction. The five ensemble learners (Xgboost, random forest, bootstrap aggregation, gradient boosting, light gradient boosting machine) made the best predictions of GNP uptake, accounting for 80-90% of the variance in the test data. The models identified particle size, zeta potential, GNP concentration and exposure duration as the most important drivers of cellular uptake. We expect this proof-of-concept study will foster the more effective use of accumulated cellular uptake data for GNPs and minimise any methodological bias in individual studies that may lead to under- or over-estimation of cellular internalisation rates.

Microfluidic-based technologies for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19: recent advances and future directions

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to existing healthcare systems around the world. The urgent need for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 has boomed the demand for new technologies that can improve current healthcare approaches, moving towards more advanced, digitalized, personalized, and patient-oriented systems. Microfluidic-based technologies involve the miniaturization of large-scale devices and laboratory-based procedures, enabling complex chemical and biological operations that are conventionally performed at the macro-scale to be carried out on the microscale or less. The advantages microfluidic systems offer such as rapid, low-cost, accurate, and on-site solutions make these tools extremely useful and effective in the fight against COVID-19. In particular, microfluidic-assisted systems are of great interest in different COVID-19-related domains, varying from direct and indirect detection of COVID-19 infections to drug and vaccine discovery and their targeted delivery. Here, we review recent advances in the use of microfluidic platforms to diagnose, treat or prevent COVID-19. We start by summarizing recent microfluidic-based diagnostic solutions applicable to COVID-19. We then highlight the key roles microfluidics play in developing COVID-19 vaccines and testing how vaccine candidates perform, with a focus on RNA-delivery technologies and nano-carriers. Next, microfluidic-based efforts devoted to assessing the efficacy of potential COVID-19 drugs, either repurposed or new, and their targeted delivery to infected sites are summarized. We conclude by providing future perspectives and research directions that are critical to effectively prevent or respond to future pandemics.

Biomedical nanomaterials: applications, toxicological concerns, and regulatory needs

Advances in cutting-edge technologies such as nano- and biotechnology have created an opportunity for re-engineering existing materials and generating new nano-scale products that can function beyond the limits of conventional ones. While the step change in the properties and functionalities of these new materials opens up new possibilities for a broad range of applications, it also calls for structural modifications to existing safety assessment processes that are primarily focused on bulk material properties. Decades after the need to modify existing risk management practices to include nano-specific behaviors and exposure pathways was recognized, relevant policies for evaluating, and controlling health risks of nano-enabled materials is still lacking. This review provides an overview of current progress in the field of nanobiotechnology rather than intentions and aspirations, summarizes long-recognized but still unresolved issues surrounding materials safety at the nanoscale, and discusses key barriers preventing generation and integration of reliable data in bio/nano-safety domain. Particular attention is given to nanostructured materials that are commonly used in biomedical applications.

Implementation of Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy

Cancer is a wide group of diseases and generally characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of cells whose metabolic activities are disrupted. Conventionally, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are used in the treatment of cancer. However, in theory, even a single cancer cell may trigger recurrence. Therefore, these treatments cannot provide high survival rate for deadly types. Identification of alternative methods in treatment of cancers is inevitable because of adverse effects of conventional methods. In the last few decades, nanotechnology developed by scientists working in different disciplines—physics, chemistry, and biology—offers great opportunities. It is providing elimination of both circulating tumor cells and solid cancer cells by targeting cancer cells. In this chapter, inadequate parts of conventional treatment methods, nanoparticle types used in new treatment methods of cancer, and targeting methods of nanoparticles are summarized; furthermore, recommendations of future are provided.