title: The role of biomimetism in developing nanostructured inorganic matrices for drug delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Biomimetism of synthetic biomaterials can be carried out at different levels, such as composition, structure, morphology, bulk and surface chemical-physical properties. Biomaterials can be turned into biomimetic imprinting of all these characteristics in order not only to optimise their interaction with biological tissues, but also to mimic biogenic materials in their functionalities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review outlines the biomimetic chemical-physical properties of inorganic matrices in controlling drug release.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review is restricted to phosphates and silica among inorganic biomaterials proposed as drug delivery vehicles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By mimicking nature, we can design and synthesise inorganic smart materials that are reactive towards biological tissues and can release bioactive molecules by a kinetic that is controlled not only by the matrix tailored chemical-physical properties, but also by the response to stimuli induced by physiological or pathological processes.
authors: University of Bologna, Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Structural Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, 'G Ciamician', via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy. norberto.roveri@unibo.it
authors: Norberto
authors: N
authors: Roveri
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Palazzo
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Iafisco
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000737:chemistry*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D012822:Silicon Dioxide