The use of magnetic nanoparticles has greatly expanded for numerous biomedical applications over the past two decades due to their high surface area, size-dependent superparamagnetic properties, precision tunability, and easy surface modification. Magnetic nanoparticles can be engineered and manipulated with other nanoparticles and functional compounds to form multi-modal systems useful in theragnosis. However, superior biocompatibility, high loading efficacy, regulated drug release, and in vitro and in vivo stability are necessary for the efficient incorporation of these nanoparticles into physiological systems. In recent years, considerable advancements have been made and reported both in synthesis and application, given the broad range of biomedical-related prospective uses of magnetic nanoparticles. Here, in this review, we have highlighted some essential works, specifically related to the application of magnetic nanoparticles in drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic particle imaging, biosensors, and tissue engineering.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) show tremendous possibilities in the field of biomedicine, especially as therapeutic agents for use over a prolonged duration.

Quantum dots (QDs) are luminescent nanocrystals with rich surface chemistry and unique optical properties that make them useful as probes or carriers for traceable targeted delivery and therapy applications. QDs can be functionalized to target specific cells or tissues by conjugating them with targeting ligands. Recent advancement in making biocompatible QD formulations has made these nanocrystals suitable for in vivo applications. This review provides an overview of the preparation of QDs and their use as probes or carriers for traceable, targeted therapy of diseases in vitro and in vivo. More specifically, recent advances in the integration of QDs with drug formulations for therapy and their potential toxicity in vitro and in vivo are highlighted. The current findings and challenges for optimizing QD/drug formulations with respect to optimal size and stability, short-term and long-term toxicity, and in vivo applications are described. Lastly, we attempt to predict key trends in QD/drug formulation development over the next few years and highlight areas of therapy where their use may provide breakthrough results in the near future.

Numerous studies have shown that nanosized zeolitic imidazolate framework particles (ZIF-8 NPs) serve as promising vehicles for pH-responsive drug delivery. An understanding of their interaction with serum proteins present in physiological systems will thus be of critical importance. In this work, monodisperse ZIF-8 NPs with an average size of 60 nm were synthesized at room temperature and characterized for their various physicochemical properties. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as model serum protein for various interaction studies with ZIF-8 NPs. Spectroscopic techniques such as UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy indicated the formation of a ground-state complex with a binding constant of the order 10³ M⁻¹and a single binding site. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the mechanism of quenching to be static. Conformational changes in the secondary structure of BSA were observed using CD and FT-IR spectroscopies. Binding sites were explored using molecular docking studies.