Narsimha Mamidi

Corneal transplantation is the gold-standard treatment for end-stage corneal disease. However, its clinical use is limited by the global shortage of donor tissue, risks of immune rejection, and postoperative complications. Corneal tissue engineering (CTE) has emerged as a promising alternative strategy, focusing on the development of biocompatible scaffolds that support cellular regeneration while maintaining the critical optical clarity and biomechanical properties of the native cornea. Starch (ST), a naturally derived and abundant polysaccharide, has garnered significant interest as a biomaterial for this application due to its inherent biocompatibility, tunable biodegradability, and amenability to chemical modification. Its physicochemical properties, including controllable hydration, intrinsic optical transparency, and modifiable mechanical strength, are highly conducive to corneal scaffold design. ST can be processed via various techniques such as hydrogel formation, electrospinning, and three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, to generate structures tailored for specific corneal repair applications. Recent advances focus on functionalizing ST-based scaffolds with bioactive molecules to enhance cellular adhesion and proliferation, improve biomechanical performance, and better recapitulate the native corneal extracellular matrix (ECM). Moreover, ST offers considerable economic and environmental advantages over synthetic polymers due to its cost-effectiveness and sustainable sourcing. Notwithstanding its potential, key challenges persist in optimizing its long-term mechanical stability, controlling its degradation profile to match tissue ingrowth, and ensuring seamless biointegration with host corneal cells. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the fabrication methodologies, structure-property relationships, and in vitro and in vivo performance of ST-based biomaterials in the context of CTE. Given its versatility and favorable characteristics, ST represents a highly promising substrate for advancing next-generation corneal regenerative therapies.

Continuous anthropogenic inputs have raised environmental concerns regarding non-degradable plastics derived from non-renewable petrochemicals, creating an urgent need for sustainable alternatives and driving a paradigm shift toward bioplastics. This review investigates the transformative role of the natural biopolymer xanthan gum as an eco-friendly additive in advancing biodegradable materials. Derived from Xanthomonas campestris, xanthan gum offers non-toxicity, biodegradability, and strong compatibility. The literature indicates that its negative charge enables interactions with positively charged molecules, enhancing composite properties such as mechanical strength. Although xanthan gum has limitations when used alone, it functions as an effective additive in packaging applications. The novelty of this work lies in exploring diverse techniques and formulations for integrating xanthan gum into bioplastic films and coatings, emphasizing its role in reinforcing biopolymer structures. As a sustainable alternative, xanthan gum-based composites preserve food quality and extend shelf life by providing protection against moisture, oxygen, UV radiation, and microbial contamination. Realizing its full potential requires optimized formulations to prevent structural disruptions and reduced stretchability at higher xanthan gum concentrations. Continued research, especially leveraging nanotechnology, is essential to amplify its advantages and address related challenges. This review highlights xanthan gum’s pivotal contribution to bioplastic innovation, presenting a strong case for its broader adoption in the food packaging industry.

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is known for its aggressive behavior, high metastatic potential, and poor prognosis. Mutations in the BRAF gene are common in CM, and patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma often respond well to combined inhibition of BRAF and MEK (BRAFi + MEKi). Although BRAFi + MEKi therapy provides clinical efficacy, the response durability is limited by persistent drug-tolerant residual cells, culminating in relapse. In this issue of the JCI , Tiago et al. confirmed that NR2F1, a dormancy-associated transcription factor, is a key determinant of therapeutic resistance in melanoma. NR2F1 expression was elevated in transcriptomic datasets from patients with minimal residual disease, and in murine and human melanoma models, NR2F1 overexpression reduced therapeutic efficacy and suppressed tumor proliferation and invasion while sustaining mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) transcriptional regulation of relevant genes. Combining BRAFi + MEKi with the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin effectively targeted these resistant melanoma cells, suggesting a potential path forward for targeting NR2F1 and mTORC1 signaling in patients with CM.

Cancer immunotherapies have advanced treatment, but low response rates and side effects remain. 3D hydrogels offer new strategies to overcome these barriers, enhance immunotherapy, and improve outcomes. This review explores hydrogel-based immunotherapy advances and future directions.

Corneal stromal defects cause global blindness and entail unmet solutions beyond transplants. This review highlights scaffolds, biomaterials, and signaling cues in corneal stroma engineering to advance next-generation vision therapies.

This review highlights how smart nanomaterials overcome biological barriers by enhancing targeting, reducing off-target effects, and enabling controlled drug release. Created in BioRender. Orash, A. (2025) https://BioRender.com/g97k271

Cell competition and fitness comparison between cancer and tumor microenvironment (TME) cells determine oncogenic fate. Our previous study established a role for human Flower isoforms as fitness fingerprints, where the expression of Flower Win isoforms in tumor cells leads to growth advantage over TME cells expressing Lose isoforms. Here we demonstrate that the expression of Flower Lose and reduced microenvironment fitness is not a pre-existing condition but, rather, a cancer-induced phenomenon. Cancer cells actively reduce TME fitness by the exosome-mediated release of a cancer-specific long non-coding RNA, Tu-Stroma, which controls the splicing of the Flower gene in the TME cells and expression of Flower Lose isoform, which leads to reduced fitness status. This mechanism controls cancer growth, metastasis and host survival in ovarian cancer. Targeting Flower protein with humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) in mice significantly reduces cancer growth and metastasis and improves survival. Pre-treatment with Flower mAb protects intraperitoneal organs from developing lesions despite the presence of aggressive tumor cells.

In recent years, the biomedical field has witnessed significant advancements at the intersection of technology and biology. Metallic, polymeric, and carbonaceous materials have emerged as crucial components in developing and enhancing cutting-edge technologies. The properties of these materials, such as particle size, stability, and surface chemistry, are determined by their synthesis methods, which, in turn, enable specific applications. These materials are primarily synthesized through top-down and bottom-up techniques, each characterized by distinct preparation conditions, precursor materials, and catalytic processes. However, conventional synthesis methods often require substantial energy consumption, hazardous solvents, and non-renewable precursors, leading to environmental concerns and long-term costs. This review aims to provide an overview of the primary approaches and recent efforts to optimize the production and preparation processes of nanomaterials for biomedical applications. It addresses the advantages and limitations of green synthesis methods compared to traditional chemical and physical methods, offering an objective overview of green synthesis. In addition, it provides insights into the pre-clinical and clinical statuses of various nanomaterials. These efforts aim to mitigate the environmental impact of biomedical material synthesis by adopting eco-friendly strategies, such as minimizing energy consumption, utilizing environmentally friendly precursors, and embracing environmentally benign catalytic methodologies, while still leveraging traditional techniques.

The future of NBMs holds immense promise. By leveraging the capabilities of nanotechnology and emulating the intricate structures of living tissues, NBMs offer exciting possibilities for diverse biomedical applications (Figure 1). These include targeted drug delivery systems to advanced implants to improve human health. However, this progress hinges on a commitment to rigorous safety assessments and a deep understanding of how NBMs interact with biological systems. Through ongoing research and development, NBMs can transform how we diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases, heralding a new era of personalized and targeted medicine. This special issue explores the vital interactions between NBMs and cells/tissues, focusing on how factors such as size, morphology, shape, and surface chemistry of NBM influence toxicity, biocompatibility, and immunogenicity. By elucidating these structure-function relationships, we aim to facilitate the creation of innovative NBMs with tailored properties for diverse biomedical applications. This special issue includes three research papers and two review articles exploring recent advances in the design, preparation, and biocompatibility assessment of NBMs.Guedri et al. investigated the potential of using alumina-ferrite (Al2O3-Fe3O4) hybrid nanoparticles to improve thermal systems in various fields, including biomedicine, electronics, and mechanical engineering. 11 Their study focused on the interaction of these nanoparticles with blood over a 3D surface, considering factors like nonlinear thermal radiation, stretching, velocity slippage, and a magnetic field. A mathematical model was developed using nanofluid properties and similarity rules. Numerical simulations were performed to analyze the behavior of the nanoparticles within the blood. The results showed that a strong magnetic field effectively controlled the motion of the nanoparticles, while surface stretching increased fluid movement. Thermal radiation was found to enhance the thermal properties of both Al2O3-Fe3O4/blood and Al2O3/blood. 11 In a review of biomedical applications for iron sulfide-based nanozymes (ISNs), Shan et al. highlighted the growing interest in nanozymes due to their stability, ease of preparation, and tunability. 12 They focused on ISNs, a widely studied nanomaterial with enzyme-mimicking properties, outlining their potential in various biomedical applications. The review explores the classification and catalytic mechanisms of ISNs, followed by a detailed examination of their use in biosensors, tumor therapy, antibacterial therapy, and other areas, underlining their promise for improving human health.In another study, Puri et al. explored the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using Terminalia arjuna bark extract. 13 The abundant phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins in the extract acted as capping and stabilizing agents, enabling the formation of stable, negatively charged, and spherical TA-SeNPs. These biogenic SeNPs exhibited excellent antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activities, making them promising candidates for biomedical applications. Notably, TA-SeNP-incorporated gel displayed desirable properties for topical use. This study highlights the potential of biogenic SeNPs for the safe and sustainable development of nanomedicines.Roma et al. reviewed recent advancements in graphene and its derivatives for dental applications. 14 Highlighting their unique properties like biocompatibility and antibacterial activity, the authors discuss synthesis methods, material characteristics, and various dental uses of graphene-based materials. The review concludes by exploring the challenges and future potential of these nanomaterials in dentistry, aiming to stimulate further research.A study by Dar et al. investigated the effects of various nutrient sources on rice growth and yield. 15 Eight practices were evaluated, including a recommended fertilizer dose (RFD), RFD with a silicon supplement, and organic manure (FYM). The treatment with a basal application of Vigore (a commercial product) followed by a spray at the panicle initiation (PI) stage (N3) resulted in the highest plant height, number of tillers, panicle density, panicle weight, and grain yield. This approach yielded 22-25% more grain than RFD with FYM or RFD alone. The study suggests that silicon and targeted application timing can significantly improve rice yield.Altogether, the articles presented in this special issue highlight significant progress in the field of nanobiomaterials. We extend our sincere gratitude to all contributing authors for sharing their valuable insights and solutions. Special thanks go to the editors and reviewers whose expertise significantly enhanced the quality of the papers. Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Future success hinges on rigorous safety assessments and a deeper understanding of NBM interactions with biological systems. Continued research and development hold the potential for NBMs to revolutionize disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, paving the way for personalized and targeted medicine. We trust that the articles in this special issue will be both informative and inspiring, particularly for young scholars eager to contribute to the future of NBM research.

Nanocomposite materials are emerging as key players in addressing critical challenges in healthcare, energy storage, and environmental remediation. These innovative systems hold great promise in engineering effective solutions for complex problems. Nanocomposites have demonstrated various advantages such as simplicity, versatility, lightweight, and potential cost‐effectiveness. By reinforcing synthetic and natural polymers with nanomaterials, a range of nanocomposites have exhibited unique physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Current research on nanocomposites has demonstrated promising clinical and translational applications. Over the past decade, the production of nanocomposites has emerged as a critical nano‐structuring methodology due to their adaptability and controllable surface structure. This comprehensive review article systematically addresses two principal domains. A comprehensive survey of metallic and nonmetallic nanomaterials (nanofillers), elucidating their efficacy as reinforcing agents in polymeric matrices. Emphasis is placed on the methodical design and engineering principles governing the development of functional nanocomposites. Additionally, the review provides an exhaustive examination of recent noteworthy advancements in industrial, environmental, biomedical, and clinical applications within the realms of nanocomposite materials. Finally, the review concludes by highlighting the ongoing challenges facing nanocomposites in a wide range of applications.