Nanostructured Materials for Biomedical Applications
Call for Papers
The current trend of developing nanostructured materials has motivated an ncreasing need for novel nanostructure design and assembly for a variety of biomedical applications. Nanoparticles and nanotubes can be potentially used in many applications because of their desirable properties. However, the surface properties of the particle that control the reactivity, in some cases, limit desired technological applications. It is necessary to develop novel nano-structures and functionalized surfaces, in order to achieve the unique mechanical, physical, chemical, and biomedical properties. The ability to functionalize well-controlled nano-surface structures creates a wide range of technological opportunities based on changes to both the physical and chemical properties of the nanoparticles and nanotubes.
Nanotechnology will have a revolutionary impact on biomedical applications such as bioprobe, biomarking, cancer diagnosis and therapy, and drug delivery. For instance, the present challenge in cancer diagnosis is to develop techniques that allow the exact determination of the relation between cancer biomarkers and the clinical pathology. The noninvasive detection of tumors at an early stage is essential for maximum therapeutic benefit. If appropriately designed, luminescent nanoparticles and nanotubes can be used as a biomarker and as a “vehicle” for drug delivery to targeted tumor tissues or cells. Nanotubes can also be used for qualitative or quantitative in vitro detection of tumor cells. Fluorescent polystyrene nanospheres have already been used to detect the epidermal growth factor receptor on A431 cells. Nanoscale and monodispersed, hydrophilic, superparamagnetic organic/inorganic hybrid spheres have been developed for biomedical applications including separation and purification of biomolecule, MRI contrast agent, hyperthermia, biosensor, and targeted drug delivery.
This special issue of the Journal of Nanomaterials will cover a wide range of nanomaterials research for biomedicine applications focusing on synthesis, functionalization, processing, characterization, computer modeling of nanoparticles, nanostructured coatings, films, membranes, nanoporous materials, nanocomposites, hybrid systems, and biomedical devices. Fundamental understanding of the basic mechanisms on chemical and biological processes related to the unique nanoscale properties of the materials will be the highlight of this special issue.
Papers are solicited in, but not limited to, the following areas:
o Biosurfaces and biointerfaces o Nanostructures, and novel devices for biological and chemical detection o Integrated nanosensors o Nanostructured and patterned materials for information storage o Nanoscale magnetic nanoparticles — synthesis, self-assembly, properties, and applications o Mechanics of biological and bioinspired materials o Luminescent nanomaterials o Magnetic nanomaterials for hyperthermia applications o Using biological building blocks to create novel materials and devices o Smart nanomaterials for sensors and transducers o Using materials to probe, alter, and control biological responses o Understanding biological responses to implanted or injected materials o Utilizing materials for clinical applications (drug delivery, tissue engineering, etc.) o Quantum dots/nanocrystals in biolabeling, marking, etc. o Scintillation crystal materials for medical PET imaging devices
Authors should follow the Journal of Nanomaterials manuscript format described at the journal website http://www.hindawi.com/journals/JNM/ Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the Journal of Nanomaterials manuscript tracking system at journal's website, according to the following timetable:
Manuscript Due July 01, 2007 First Round of Reviews October 01, 2007 Publication Date January 01, 2008
Guest Editors:
Donglu Shi, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati 45221-0012, OH, USA; donglu.shi@uc.edu
Hongchen Gu, Research Institute for Micro/Nano Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; hcgu@sjtu.edu.cn
