2007 ; 18(3): 241–268 | MICHAEL GOLDBERG1, ROBERT LANGER2, and XINQIAO JIA3,**
The article reviews the recent advancements in the use of nanostructured materials for drug delivery and tissue engineering. Nano-scale drug-delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanotubes, nanogels, and dendrimers, offer improved solubility, immunocompatibility, and cellular uptake compared to traditional systems. These systems can be tailored to release drugs at specific sites and times, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. In tissue engineering, nano-scale topography mimicking the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for controlling cell behavior and promoting tissue formation. Electrospinning and self-assembly techniques are used to create nanofibrous scaffolds that closely resemble the ECM, facilitating cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. The review also discusses the challenges and future directions in the development of these nanostructured materials, emphasizing the importance of biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the ability to control drug release and tissue response.The article reviews the recent advancements in the use of nanostructured materials for drug delivery and tissue engineering. Nano-scale drug-delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanotubes, nanogels, and dendrimers, offer improved solubility, immunocompatibility, and cellular uptake compared to traditional systems. These systems can be tailored to release drugs at specific sites and times, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. In tissue engineering, nano-scale topography mimicking the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for controlling cell behavior and promoting tissue formation. Electrospinning and self-assembly techniques are used to create nanofibrous scaffolds that closely resemble the ECM, facilitating cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. The review also discusses the challenges and future directions in the development of these nanostructured materials, emphasizing the importance of biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the ability to control drug release and tissue response.