Supramolecular Systems In Biomedical Fields

Non-covalent interactions, which are the heart of supramolecular chemistry are also the basis of most important functions of living systems. The ability to apply supramolecular chemistry principles to the life sciences, such as designing synthetic host compounds to selectively interact within biological targets, has gained wide appeal due the vast number of potential applications. Supramolecular Systems for Biomedical Fields provides in sixteen chapters a comprehensive overview of these applications. Each chapter covers a specific topic and is written by internationally renowned experts in that area. Sensing of bioactive inorganic ions and organic substrates is the focus of several contributions, as well as interactions with proteins and nucleic acids. Specific chapters are devoted to cyclodextrins, calixarenes and cucurbiturils as most frequently used receptors, including applications such as drug delivery and protection, gene transfer and others. Other chapters address the use of combinatorial libraries, molecular imprinting techniques, enzyme assays, supramolecular gels, bioimaging, drug activation, photodynamic therapy, and antitumour metal complexes. This timely publication will appeal to graduate students and researchers from chemical, pharmaceutical, biological, and medicinal fields interested in the supramolecular chemistry of biological systems and their practical potentials.

There have been great advances in biomedical imaging techniques in recent years and they are becoming prominent in supramolecular chemistry. This book will clarify the current understanding of these techniques.

The aim of this book is to return to the biomimicry and medicinal potential that inspired many of the early supramolecular chemists and to set it in the context of current advances in the field. Following an overview of supramolecular chemistry, the first section considers the efforts made to synthesize artificial systems that mimic biological entities. The second section addresses the application of supramolecular principles to molecular diagnostics with a particular emphasis on the ‘receptor-relayreporter’ motif. Many of the examples chosen have clinical importance. The third section takes the clinical diagnostic theme further and demonstrates the therapeutic applications of supramolecular chemistry through photodynamic therapy, drug delivery, and the potential for synthetic peptides to form antibiotic tubes. The short epilogue considers the potential for supramolecular solutions to be found for further challenges in biomimetic and therapeutic chemistry.

Supramolecular chemistry is the outburst topic of the next generation of science. While the majority of biomedical research efforts to date have centered on utilizing well-known polymeric materials, the recent progress in supramolecular chemistry has introduced a fascinating new field of macromolecular architecture. Supramolecular Design fo

This book investigates the latest developments in supramolecular assembly systems for mimicking biological structures and functions. Consisting of 14 chapters, it covers various assembly systems, such as polysaccharides, peptides, proteins, biopolymers, natural materials and various hybrid systems. Further, it focuses on different types of supramolecular systems with particular functions or structures that are relevant to living systems. A number of modern techniques used to study the supramolecular systems, such as total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) and two-photon confocal microscopy, are also introduced in detail. Unlike conventional books on supramolecular assemblies, this book highlights the functions of the assembly systems, particularly their biological applications. As such, it offers a valuable resource for experienced researchers, as well as graduate students working in the field of supramolecular chemistry and biomimetic systems.

There have been many great advances in the field of biomedical imaging in recent years, with supramolecular chemistry playing a key role in the evolution of modern imaging techniques. Non-covalent supramolecular interactions are fundamental to countless biological processes, from host–guest binding to the stabilisation of complex structures. Supramolecular chemistry techniques can be employed to create probes that can be targeted to either exploit or disrupt these interactions, giving the potential for both diagnostic and therapeutic effects. Furthermore, in techniques such as contrast enhanced MRI, controlling the interactions between solvent molecules and the imaging agent is crucial to the development of the technique. With rapid growth in the synthesis and study of molecular imaging agents, the understanding of their associated techniques has sometimes lagged behind. Supramolecular Chemistry in Biomedical Imaging will fill this gap by clarifying the state of current understanding and the nature of the underlying problems inherent to addressing problems in biology. It will cover both the techniques used in imaging and the molecular and supramolecular systems used to exploit them. This publication targets academics coming to the field from mainstream supramolecular chemistry, research graduates and undergraduates interested in supramolecular chemistry, synthesis or imaging agents and imaging techniques for biomedical applications.

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Dear Colleagues, Supramolecular systems (calixarenes, cyclodextrins, polymers, peptides, etc.) have attracted special attention due to their excellent therapeutic properties for biomedical applications such as gene and drug delivery. Numerous biomaterials-based supramolecular systems have been developed in the last decade for enhancing of biocompatibility and pharmacological activity. In particular, supramolecular nanomaterials are considered a hot research topic, because nanomedicine has become an interesting tool for the treatment of genetic diseases or cancer. Nevertheless, novel systems and their properties are being continuously studied, contributing to the development of efficient delivery systems. This Special Issue provides and highlights current progress in the use of the supramolecular systems for boosting gene and drug delivery. Preparation, characterization, and use of these systems, as well as the latest developments in this research field, are especially welcome. Authors are encorauged to submit original research articles and reviews in this promising research field. Dr. Francisco José Ostos Dr. José Antonio Lebrón Prof. Dr. Pilar López-Cornejo Guest Editors