Volume 1 Issue 3, March 2023

The clinical translation of biomedical research requires a culture of solutions as a second critical pillar next to discovery. Engineers use biomedical and other knowledge, with a solution-oriented mind-set, to generate tools and concepts that catalyse the transformation of knowledge into medical solutions. In this light, bioengineering becomes the driving force of accelerating clinical translation and introducing new concepts in validation, prevention, diagnostics and precision therapy.

Cancer nanotherapy suffers from low-yield delivery that is imposed by tumour pathophysiological barriers. Top-down drug delivery strategies, including exosomes and cell membrane-coated particles, can improve safety and efficacy owing to the innate biointerfacial properties of these platforms. Here, we discuss the technological challenges that need to be overcome for their clinical implementation.

An article in Nature Nanotechnology reports a simple and eco-friendly approach to incorporate antimicrobial agents into cotton fabrics at the molecular level.

An article in the Journal of Controlled Release outlines strategies to implement sustainable approaches in bioengineering research.

Fluorescence imaging-guided surgery enables tumour resection with high precision, while preventing injury of healthy tissues. This Review discusses the clinical application and preclinical development of intraoperative fluorescence imaging probes and imaging equipment, including artificial intelligence algorithms.

Developing point-of-care devices for the detection of pathogenic bacteria is essential to prevent and treat infections and to provide food security. This Review highlights paper-based analytical devices with substantial point-of-care applicability for bacteria detection and discusses challenges and opportunities for future development.

Photothermal modulation is a non-genetic approach for remote neural modulation with high spatiotemporal resolution and specificity. This Review summarizes the fundamental material properties and experimental conditions necessary for efficient nanomaterial-assisted photothermal excitation, inhibition and regulation of cellular signalling pathways.

Oral drug delivery is a commonly used strategy to deliver therapeutics. However, the harsh environment in the digestive tract prevents the oral administration of many drugs and can negatively affect drug efficacy. This Review discusses how biological materials and living microorganisms can be designed into bioinspired oral delivery devices that can overcome many of the challenges associated with oral delivery.