Bioinspired and biomimetic micro- and nanostructures in biomedicine.

Bioinspired and biomimetic micro- and nanostructures have a high significance in the field of biomedicine. In this review, the possible applications of these micro- and nanostructures that come across in our daily life and inspired by nature itself are presented. Also, the biomimetic and bioinspired systems related to micro- and nanostructures in biomedicine are also described. The role of bioinspired and biomimetic micro- and nanostructures in therapeutics, especially in anti-inflammatory and wound healing, development of bioinspired medical devices, tissue engineering, drug delivery, gene delivery, pressure sensors, and bioprinting are discussed. The biomimetic and bioinspired systems using carbon-based nanostructures, polymer nanocomposites, hybrid scaffolds, polymer networks,and protein nanostructures are also reviewed. The advantage of these bioinspired and biomimetic structures is derived from their high biocompatibility when compared to the synthetically derived micro-/nanostructures. By developing deeper knowledge and overcoming the associated challenges, these micro- and nanostructures present a promising solution for many unresolved problems in biomedicine.

Carbon nanostructures: The drug and the delivery system for brain disorders.

Neurodegenerative disorders and brain tumors are major pathological conditions affecting the brain. The delivery of therapeutic agents into the brain is not as easy as to other organs or systems. The presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes the drug delivery into the brain more complicated and challenging. Many techniques have been developed to overcome the difficulties with BBB and to achieve brain-targeted drug delivery. Incorporation of the drugs into nanocarriers capable to penetrate BBB is a simple technique. Different nanocarriers have been developed including polymeric nanoparticles, carbon nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoparticles, etc. Carbon nanostructures could make a superior position among them, because of their good biocompatibility and easy penetration of BBB. Carbon-family nanomaterials consist of different carbon-based structures including zero-dimensional fullerene, one-dimensional carbon nanotube, two-dimensional graphene, and some other related structures like carbon dots and nanodiamonds. They can be used as efficient carriers for drug delivery into the brain. Apart from the drug delivery applications, they can also be used as a central nervous system (CNS) therapeutic agent; some of the carbon nanostructures have neuroregenerative activity. Their influence on neuronal growth and anti-amyloid action is also interesting. This review focuses on different carbon nanostructures for brain-targeted drug delivery and their CNS activities. As a carrier and CNS therapeutic agent, carbon nanostructures can revolutionize the treatment of brain disorders.

Advanced biosensors for glucose and insulin.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder lasting for the lifetime of a person. Glucose and insulin are the main indicators in the monitoring and control of this disease. Most often, various laboratory tests are used in the diagnosis and control of diabetes. Among them, the estimation of blood glucose concentration is one of the main diagnostic criteria. Proper control of the blood glucose level can delay, and to a greater extent, prevent complications. Thus, blood glucose monitoring is a requisite tool in the management of diabetes mellitus. Insulin plays a major role in glucose metabolism and its determination is of great value in the diagnosis and control of diabetes. An uncountable number of biosensors have been developed based on various mechanisms which will make sure a continuous glucose as well as insulin monitoring. Biosensors became the most sophisticated tool for the detection of glucose and insulin and they are of different types. Enzymatic, non-enzymatic, electrochemical, optical, non-invasive, and continuous monitoring biosensors are discussed in this review. In recent years, there is progress towards the development of nanobiosensors using various nanomaterials. Here, we have reviewed the fabrication, modification, and recent approaches associated with insulin and glucose biosensors for the treatment of diabetes.

Advanced biomedical applications of carbon nanotube.

With advances in nanotechnology, the applications of nanomaterial are developing widely and greatly. The characteristic properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) make them the most selective candidate for various multi-functional applications. The greater surface area of the CNTs in addition to the capability to manipulate the surfaces and dimensions has provided greater potential for this nanomaterial. The CNTs possess greater potential for applications in biomedicine due to their vital electrical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The unique properties of CNT are exploited for numerous applications in the biomedical field. They are useful in both therapeutic and diagnostic applications. They form novel carrier systems which are also capable of site-specific delivery of therapeutic agents. In addition, CNTs are of potential application in biosensing. Many recently reported advanced systems of CNT could be exploited for their immense potential in biomedicine in the future.