This book provides a comprehensive overview of how use of micro- and nanotechnology (MNT) has allowed major new advance in vaccine development research, and the challenges that immunologists face in making further progress. MNT allows the creation of particles that exploit the inherent ability of the human immune system to recognize small particles such as viruses and toxins. In combination with minimal protective epitope design, this permits the creation of immunogenic particles that stimulate a response against the targeted pathogen. The finely tuned response of the human immune system to small particles makes it unsurprising that many of the lead adjuvants and vaccine delivery systems currently under investigation are based on nanoparticles. - Provides a comprehensive and unparalleled overview of the role of micro- and nanotechnology in vaccine development - Allows researchers to quickly familiarize themselves with the broad spectrum of vaccines and how micro- and nanotechnologies are applied to their development - Includes a combination of overview chapters setting out general principles, and focused content dealing with specific vaccines, making it useful to readers from a variety of disciplines

Micro/nanorobots have emerged as functional agents and versatile tools for investigating the complex microenvironments within biological systems. Operating at a scale comparable to cells, these micro/nanorobots offer controllable motion and customizable characteristics, whilst swarming micro/nanorobots exhibit exceptional efficiency, robustness, and adaptivity. As a result, these active particles hold significant potential for interacting with living cells, diseased tissues, and organs, offering viable approaches to uncovering natural principles of development and addressing diseases such as drug-tolerant infections and bacterial self-organization. To tackle these challenges, functionalized micro/nanorobots, through active intervention, can yield substantial effects on the development and treatment of cellular environments, bacterial biofilms, and tissue restoration. In this regard, we are organizing a special issue to delineate the current state of the art of micro/nanorobots in biological contexts and to advance therapeutics by elucidating the underlying mechanisms in living systems. In the contemporary era of advancing nanomedicine, the utilization of micro/nanorobots in clinical therapy is still in its nascent stages within the realm of modern healthcare. Biomedical and biological environments hold immense promise as platforms for these active agents, showcasing remarkable functionalities and efficacy in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Micro/nanorobots have the capacity to emulate the behaviors of living cells, particularly bacteria, which play a crucial role in microbial infections, thus impacting public health and medical devices. These active agents possess the potential to overcome biological barriers and enable targeted therapies for various healthcare issues, including the prevention and treatment of diseased tissues and biofilms, which will significantly enhance the minimally invasive operations and remote treatments for the next-generation human healthcare system. The objectives of this research topic are threefold: (1) to investigate the novel functionalities of micro/nanorobots in biological contexts, (2) to unravel the underlying principles of cell, tissue, and organ development, and (3) to innovate active therapeutic approaches for addressing diseased tissues and microbial biofilms

This book is an overview of the rapidly growing and developing field of nanotechnology, focusing on key essentials structured around a robust anatomy of the subject. Micro and nano technology's bewildering range of principles, theory and practice are presented in an organized and broad yet authoritative introduction to the possibilities and limitations of this field.

This volume focuses on the fundamentals and advancements in micro and nanomanufacturing technologies applied in the biomedical and biochemical domain. The contents of this volume provide comprehensive coverage of the physical principles of advanced manufacturing technologies and the know-how of their applications in the fabrication of biomedical devices and systems. The book begins by documenting the journey of miniaturization and micro-and nano-fabrication. It then delves into the fundamentals of various advanced technologies such as micro-wire moulding, 3D printing, lithography, imprinting, direct laser machining, and laser-induced plasma-assisted machining. It also covers laser-based technologies which are a promising option due to their flexibility, ease in control and application, high precision, and availability. These technologies can be employed to process several materials such as glass, polymers: polycarbonate, polydimethylsiloxane, polymethylmethacrylate, and metals such as stainless steel, which are commonly used in the fabrication of biomedical devices, such as microfluidic technology, optical and fiber-optic sensors, and electro-chemical bio-sensors. It also discusses advancements in various MEMS/NEMS based technologies and their applications in energy conversion and storage devices. The chapters are written by experts from the fields of micro- and nano-manufacturing, materials engineering, nano-biotechnology, and end-users such as clinicians, engineers, academicians of interdisciplinary background. This book will be a useful guide for academia and industry alike.

Learning Bio-Micro-Nanotechnology is a primer on micro/nanotechnology that teaches the vocabulary, fundamental concepts, and applications of micro/nanotechnology in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, electronics, computers, biomedicine, microscopy, ethics, and risks to humankind. It provides an introduction into the small world with a low fo

This book describes how man-made litter, primarily plastic, has spread into the remotest parts of the oceans and covers all aspects of this pollution problem from the impacts on wildlife and human health to socio-economic and political issues. Marine litter is a prime threat to marine wildlife, habitats and food webs worldwide. The book illustrates how advanced technologies from deep-sea research, microbiology and mathematic modelling as well as classic beach litter counts by volunteers contributed to the broad awareness of marine litter as a problem of global significance. The authors summarise more than five decades of marine litter research, which receives growing attention after the recent discovery of great oceanic garbage patches and the ubiquity of microscopic plastic particles in marine organisms and habitats. In 16 chapters, authors from all over the world have created a universal view on the diverse field of marine litter pollution, the biological impacts, dedicated research activities, and the various national and international legislative efforts to combat this environmental problem. They recommend future research directions necessary for a comprehensive understanding of this environmental issue and the development of efficient management strategies. This book addresses scientists, and it provides a solid knowledge base for policy makers, NGOs, and the broader public.

Several micro- and nanomanipulation techniques have emerged in recent decades thanks to advances in micro- and nanofabrication. For instance, the atomic force microscope (AFM) uses a nano-sized tip to image, push, pull, cut, and indent biological material in air, liquid, or vacuum. Using micro- and nanofabrication techniques, scientists can make manipulation tools, such as microgrippers and nanotweezers, on the same length scale as the biological samples. Micro and Nano Techniques for the Handling of Biological Samples reviews the different techniques available to manipulate and integrate biological materials in a controlled manner, either by sliding them along a surface (2-D manipulation), or by gripping and moving them to a new position (3-D manipulation). The advantages and drawbacks are mentioned together with examples that reflect the state-of-the-art in manipulation techniques for biological samples. Thanks to the advances in micro- and nanomanipulation techniques, the integration of biomaterials with physical transducers has been possible, giving rise to new and highly sensitive biosensing devices. Although great progress has been made, challenges are still present. To understand the complex interactions between and inside biological samples, scientists will always be working on improving technologies to manipulate, transport, sort, and integrate samples in different environments. Balanced between simplicity for the beginner and hardcore theory for the more advanced readers, this book is the ideal launching point for sharpening the scientific tools required to address these challenges.