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A Review of: “Biological and Pharmaceutical Nanomaterials, Challa Kumar (Ed.)”

This book is the second in the ten volume series of “Nanotechnology for Life Sciences,” which aims at becoming a comprehensive source on “Convergence of materials and life science on the nanoscale.” In this tenvolume series, the design, conceptualization, characterization, and applications of nanotechnology in life sciences domain have been extensively covered. The current volume focuses on the commercially important nanomaterials derived from biological and pharmaceutical substances. This edited review volume is structured in three major areas; namely, DNA-based nanomaterials, proteinand peptide-based nanomaterials, and pharmaceutically important nanomaterials. Chapter 1 reviews the recent findings on self-assembled 1-D DNA nanotubes with interesting design solutions and characteristics. These nano-patterned materials may find use in electronics, sensors, medicines, etc. Utilizing DNA molecules as scaffolds for making functionalized nanowires offers advantages like site specific alignment and massive parallel self assembly for nanoelectronic devices. Chapter 2 describes the efforts that are currently being made to stabilize DNA-vector “nanoparticles” in the 100–1000nm range, with an inert coat and to equip them with the targeting elements. Size reduction of the DNA delivery vehicles is crucial for diffusion in vivo. Understanding in biochemistry and interactions between constructed nanoparticles and cellular components hold the key in further development of the area of in vivo gene delivery from its present infancy state. In Chapter 3, the composition, structure, and function of DNA lipoplexes are discussed. Additionally, ODN (Oligodeoxynucleotides) and siRNA (small interference RNA) lipolexes are highlighted in terms of their differences from DNA complexes. Chapter 4 focuses on chitosan as a DNA carrier as well as different variables and strategies to improve cellular transfection. Chitosan-DNA nanoparticles are having lower cytotoxicity and ability to transport and release genes intracellularly. A number of in vitro and in vivo studies showed that chitosan is a suitable material for efficient nonviral gene therapy. A detail discussion is presented in Chapter 5 on the use of storage plant proteins from pea and wheat, while used as a structural material to prepare nanoparticles and their possible applications in pharmacy and medicine. Controlled desolvation method is used to prepare all plant protein nanoparticles and uses only bioacceptable solvents. Chapter 6 talks about an overview of nanoparticulate and in some cases microparticulate systems based on proteins. Preparation techniques for protein-based particle systems are described here in details. Potentials of surface modifications and drug targeting were also elaborated here. In Chapter 7, fabrication and application of albumin nanoparticles were detailed for pharmaceutical purposes. Biodegradability and simplicity of preparation in an aqueous environment without the need of harmful chemicals and solvents are major advantages with this type of nanoparticles. Chapter 8 puts forward a survey of the general principles of crystalline bacterial cell surface layer proteins and fusion proteins. The title of Chapter 9 tells the intention clearly, that is, “Methods of Preparation of Drug Nanoparticles.” There are thermodynamic approaches, mechanical and SCF (super critical fluid) approaches, and then electrostatic approaches. All these have been discussed here with examples and elaboration of subclass methods. In Chapter 10, first the differential adsorption after intravenous administration is discussed, followed by a description of the methods used for the preparation of coated solid-lipid nanoparticles. Functionalization of solid-liquid nanoparticles by modification of their surface characteristics is also presented here. The results obtained with lipid nanoparticles systems are quite promising for further development in this research field. In Chapter 11, nanoparticulate systems can serve as an ideal carrier system for drugs used in tumor imaging. Here is an overview of different methods for the fabrication of such systems. Near-infrared dye indocyanine green (ICG) has been given a special attention. Discussions are there for the benefits of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with ICG as a means of eradicating unwanted abnormal growths. Crossing the biological membrane is an important issue for nanoparticles, which has been discussed in Chapter 12. Kinetic and thermodynamic aspects are associated with such phenomena. Detail discussions are there for crossing through skin and different aspects like low voltage electroporation of the skin. Subcutaneous nanoparticle antiepileptic delivery and anticancer delivery are among the few important topics presented in this chapter. Coming from the process modelling and optimization background, we would have preferred some quantitative information in many of these chapters. Such information is provided in very few chapters, such as Chapter 11 on biocompatible nanoparticulate systems for tumor diagnosis and therapy, where interesting quantitative results are