A comprehensive overview of nanomaterials that are inspired by or targeted at biology, including some of the latest breakthrough research. Throughout, valuable contributions from top-level scientists illustrate how bionanomaterials could lead to novel devices or structures with unique properties. The first and second part cover the most relevant synthetic and bioinspired nanomaterials, including surfaces with extreme wettability properties, functional materials with improved adhesion or structural and functional systems based on the complex and hierarchical organization of natural composites. These lessons from nature are explored in the last section where bioinspired materials are proposed for biomedical applications, showing their potential for future applications in drug delivery, theragnosis, and regenerative medicine. A navigational guide aimed at advanced and specialist readers, while equally relevant for readers in research, academia or private companies focused on high added-value contributions. Young researchers will also find this an indispensable guide in choosing or continuing to work in this stimulating area, which involves a wide range of disciplines, including chemistry, physics, materials science and engineering, biology, and medicine.

PrefacePART I: BionanomaterialsSYNTHESIS OF COLLOIDAL GOLD AND SILVER NANOPARTICLES AND THEIR PROPERTIESIntroductionPhysical and Chemical Properties of Gold and Silver NanoparticlesSynthesis of Gold and Silver Core NanoparticlesSome Applications of Gold and Silver NanoparticlesCERAMIC SMART DRUG DELIVERY NANOMATERIALSIntroductionBiodistribution, Toxicity, and Excretion of NanoparticlesMesoporous Silica NanoparticlesCalcium Phosphate NanoparticlesCarbon AllotropesIron Oxide NanoparticlesPOLYMERSOMES AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONSIntroductionSelf-Assembly of AmphiphilesPolymersome - The Synthetic Analog of a LiposomePolymersomes as Drug Delivery DevicesEmbedding Channel Proteins in Artificial Polymer Membranes and Creating New ApplicationsConclusions and OutlookMOFS IN PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGYIntroductionMetal-Organic FrameworksMOFs for TherapeuticsConclusionsAMORPHOUS COORDINATION POLYMER PARTICLES FOR BIOMEDICINEIntroductionInteraction of Nanoplatforms with the Biological EnvironmentCPPs as Realistic Alternative to Classical NanosystemsConclusion and Future ChallengesMAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES FOR MAGNETIC HYPERTHERMIA AND CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERYIntroductionPrinciples of Magnetically Induced Heat GenerationSythesis of MNPs and their Heat PerformanceLocal Heating and Induced Biological and Drug Release EffectsIn Vivo Drug Release from Magnetic Hybrid Systems Under Alternating Magnetic Field ExposurePHOTOTHERMAL EFFECT OF GOLD NANOSTRUCTURES FOR APPLICATION IN BIOIMAGING AND THERAPYIntroductionPhotophysical Characterizations of Gold NanostructuresTuning the Absorption Spectrum of Gold NanostructuresPlasmonic Photothermal Effect of GNS in ImagingConcluding RemarksNANOMATERIAL-BASED BIOIMAGING PROBESIntroductionNanoprobesImaging ProbesTargeting StrategiesNanotheranosticsDesign ConsiderationsSummary and Future TrendsMOLECULAR BASES OF NANOTOXICOLOGYIntroductionImpact on Environment: NanoecotoxicologyImpact on Health: NanotoxicologyPART II: Bioinspired Materials - Bioinspired Materials for Technological ApplicationBIOINSPIRED INTERFACES FOR SELF-CLEANING TECHNOLOGIESThe Concept of Bioinspiration in Materials EngineeringBasics of WettingSelf-Cleaning TechnologiesSummaryCATECHOL-BASED BIOMIMETIC FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS AND THEIR APPLICATIONSIntroductionAdhesivesFunctionalizable Platforms (Primers) on Macroscopic SurfacesMicro-/Nanoscopic Surface FunctionalizationFunctional ScaffoldsChelating Materials/Siderophore-Like MaterialsMaterials for Chemo-/BiosensingElectronic DevicesCURRENT APPROACHES TO DESIGNING NANOMATERIALS INSPIRED BY MUSSEL ADHESIVE PROTEINSIntroductionMussel Adhesive Proteins and DOPANanoparticle StabilizationNanocomposite MaterialsGecko and Mussel Dual Mimetic AdhesivePolydopamine as a Multifunctional AnchorSummary and Future OutlookPART III: Bioinspired Materials - Bioinspired Materials for Biomedical ApplicationsFUNCTIONAL GRADIENTS IN BIOLOGICAL COMPOSITESIntroductionChemical GradientHydration GradientMineral GradientTexture GradientPorosity GradientConclusionsNOVEL BIOINSPIRED PHOSPHOLIPID POLYMER BIOMATERIALS FOR NANOBIOENGINEERINGIntroductionMolecular Design of an Artificial Cell Membrane SurfacePolymer Nanoparticles System with an Artificial Cell Membrane StructureNanomaterials Entrapped in the Polymeric Nanoparticles with an Artificial Cell MembraneFuture PerspectivesBIOINSPIRED FUNCTIONALIZED NANOPARTICLES AS TOOLS FOR DETECTIO, QUANTIFICATION AND TARGETING OF BIOMOLECULESIntroductionBioinspired Functionalized NanoparticlesBiomedical ApplicationsTherapeutics Applications of NanoparticlesMass Spectrometry and Nanomaterials for Biomolecule IdentificationClinical Proteomics and Biomarker DetectionConcluding RemarksENGINEERING PROTEIN BASED NANOPARTICLES FOR APPLICATIONS IN TISSUE ENGINEERINGIntroductionInclusion Bodies: Protein-Based Nanoparticles as Novel BionanomaterialsPhysicochemical and N