Recent advances in melanin-like nanomaterials in biomedical applications: a mini review

• Published in: Biomaterials research 2019, 23(4), , pp.196-205
• Main Authors: Park, Jihyo, Moon, Haeram, Hong, Seonki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Bioimaging; Biomedical engineering; Biosensing; Biosensors; Cancer treatment; Catechin; Catechol; Chromophores; Colorants; Drug delivery; Drug delivery systems; Enzymes; Fever; Fluorescence; Free radicals; Hyperthermia; I.R. radiation; Inflammatory diseases; Melanin; Microorganisms; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; NMR; Novels; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Particle size; Polydopamine; Precision medicine; Protective coatings; Review; Technology application; Theranostics; 의공학
• ISSN: 1226-4601; 2055-7124; 2055-7124
• DOI: 10.1186/s40824-019-0175-9

Melanins are a group of biopigments in microorganisms that generate a wide range of colorants. Due to their multifunctionality, including ultraviolet protection, radical scavenging, and photothermal conversion, in addition to their intrinsic biocompatibility, natural melanins and synthetic melanin-like nanomaterials have been suggested as novel nano-bio platforms in biomedical applications. Recent approaches in the synthesis of melanin-like nanomaterials and their biomedical applications have briefly been reviewed. Melanin-like nanomaterials have been suggested as endogenous chromophores for photoacoustic imaging and radical scavengers for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The photothermal conversion ability of these materials under near-infrared irradiation allows hyperthermia-mediated cancer treatments, and their intrinsic fluorescence can be an indicator in biosensing applications. Furthermore, catechol-rich melanin and melanin-like nanomaterials possess a versatile affinity for various functional organic and inorganic additives, allowing the design of multifunctional hybrid nanomaterials that expand their range of applications in bioimaging, therapy, theranostics, and biosensing. Melanin-like natural and synthetic nanomaterials have emerged; however, the under-elucidated chemical structures of these materials are still a major obstacle to the construction of novel nanomaterials through bottom-up approaches and tuning the material properties at the molecular level. Further advancements in melanin-based medical applications can be achieved with the incorporation of next-generation chemical and molecular analytical tools.