Abstract
“The coalescence of a broad range of disciplines, … and the emerging domain of nanotechnology has generated significant impact at the interface of medicine and technology.”
It is with great pleasure that we present the Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation Special Issue on Bionanotechnology. This issue will provide the reader with a multidisciplinary roadmap of novel strategies that will play a significant role in changing how foundational biology is being understood, biotechnology is innovated, and ultimately, transform how medicine is practiced. The advent and subsequent translation of these nanoscale technologies and modalities will ultimately generate clinical impact toward a spectrum of pressing clinical needs.
The coalescence of a broad range of disciplines, including engineering, life science, and the emerging domain of nanotechnology has generated significant impact at the interface of medicine and technology. Unmet needs in the areas of cancer and heart disease, with particular attention toward diagnostics and therapeutics, are being addressed with novel and bold approaches and with optimized efficacy. At the heart of these diseases reside the nanoscale protein- and organelle-based architectures that comprise the elegant signaling pathways that drive the processes of life. The dynamic interplay of protein–protein interactions governs mechanisms including mechano-sensation, cellular differentiation, inflammation, and the onset of cancer. The emergence and fruition of bionanotechnology has engineered novel devices and materials that operate at an equitable length scale as these intricate processes, enabling the research community to intimately interrogate and even control these mechanisms. Resultant achievements in ultimate sensitivity diagnostics and intelligent therapeutic intervention have ultimately been realized.
The authors of this special issue are internationally recognized authorities from leading institutions in the areas of detection, nanomaterials, microfluidics/MEMS, robotics, and beyond. Contributions include the development of protein-functionalized surfaces for multiparametric detection, microfluidic devices that will enhance diagnostic device efficacy, nanomaterials that mimic neural membranes for toxin detection, nanoparticle therapeutic delivery agents, as well as nucleic acid-based nanostructures as intelligent detection elements. These foundational advancements will undoubtedly serve as cornerstones for the nanomedicine community and I am indebted to these invited contributors for sharing their groundbreaking discoveries.
The production of this journal issue would not have been possible without the gracious support and service of the referees who, as nanomedicine experts, provided extremely constructive comments that assisted the authors with the production of their manuscripts. Special thanks go to Nan Hallock and Doug Gurevitch for serving as the catalysts for getting this issue off the ground. It's been an absolute pleasure working with everyone. I hope that you enjoy reading this issue as much as I enjoyed serving as its Guest Editor.
All the best,
