MOF-composites are porous materials with a large surface area and functionalized with other types of materials (metallic nanoparticles, oxides, zeolites, etc. ), affording optimal and chemically stable structures for wastewater remediation.

The Sc(III) MOF-type MFM-300(Sc) is demonstrated in this study to be stable under physiological conditions (PBS), biocompatible (to human skin cells), and an efficient drug carrier for the long-term controlled release (through human skin) of antioxidant ferulate. MFM-300(Sc) also preserves the antioxidant pharmacological effects of ferulate while enhancing the bio-preservation of dermal skin fibroblasts, during the delivery process. These discoveries pave the way toward the extended use of Sc(III)-based MOFs as drug delivery systems (DDSs).

The recent development and implementation of copper-based metal–organic frameworks in biological applications are reviewed.

Sulfadiazine (SDZ), a bacteriostatic agent, was hosted in a metal–organic framework, specifically in MIL-53(Al) and modified-zinc MIL-53(Al,Zn). Materials were characterized structural, and texturally. Both hosts loaded sulfadiazine but they were differenced regarding the release of sulfadiazine. The presence of zinc plays a significant role to the modulation of sulfadiazine–MOF interactions. Release of sulfadiazine from sulfadiazine@MOFs was monitored in vitro and ex vivo conditions. A kinetic release model is proposed for in vitro sulfadiazine release. Remarkably, the materials did not show cytotoxicity against eukaryote cells.

Biosensors have gained significant attention in recent years since they can provide real-time, non-invasive, and highly sensitive detection of various biological targets. The materials used as platforms in optical biosensors play a crucial role in determining their performance, such as sensitivity, selectivity, stability, and response time. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with Open Metal Sites (OMS) present a powerful platform for developing optical biosensors with increased functionalities. The combination of MOFs structural flexibility, large surface area, and the unique reactivity of OMS allows for highly sensitive, selective, and multiplexed detection of various biological targets, achieving the incorporation of biomolecules of different nature, to enable an increase in selectivity and specificity. These advantages make them highly suitable for applications in medical diagnostics, mainly focused on detecting glucose, pathogens, cancer biomarkers, toxins, and pollutant compounds, as we present in this revision. As research advances, we expect more innovative uses of functionalized MOFs-OMS in the optical biosensing field. Combining additional materials, such as biomolecules, nanoparticles, nanofibers, or quantum dots, enhances their output signal performance in biosensing applications for analyte detection in complex samples (i.e., clinical, serum, and food matrices). A direct comparison of the most critical properties of biosensors with and without MOFs-OMS is presented, where the detection of specific analytes often relies on changes in optical properties like fluorescence, absorption, or scattering. This review highlights the exceptional properties of MOFs with OMS, such as strong interaction with biomolecules, high sensitivity, and selectivity related to their nanostructural composition, describing the opportunities for future implementation in the diagnostics sector. Additionally, an outlook of forthcoming challenges underscores the potential of these materials for advancing novel optical biosensing technologies.

Copper deficiency can trigger various diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD) and even compromise the development of living beings, as manifested in Menkes disease (MS). Thus, the regulated administration (controlled release) of copper represents an alternative to reduce neuronal deterioration and prevent disease progression. Therefore, we present, to the best of our knowledge, the first experimental in vitro investigation for the kinetics of copper release from MOF-74(Cu) and its distribution in vivo after oral administration in male Wistar rats. Taking advantage of the abundance and high periodicity of copper within the crystalline-nanostructured metal–organic framework material (MOF-74(Cu)), it was possible to control the release of copper due to the partial degradation of the material. Thus, we simultaneously corroborated a low accumulation of copper in the liver (the main detoxification organ) and a slight increase of copper in the brain (striatum and midbrain), demonstrating that MOF-74(Cu) is a promising pharmacological alternative (controlled copper source) to these diseases.