title: Drug nano-reservoirs synthesized using layer-by-layer technologies.
abstract: The pharmaceutical industry has been able to tackle the emergence of new microorganisms and diseases by synthesizing new specialized drugs to counter them. Their administration must ensure that a drug is effectively encapsulated and protected until it reaches its target, and that it is released in a controlled way. Herein, the potential of layer-by-layer (LbL) structures to act as drug reservoirs is presented with an emphasis to "nano"-devices of various geometries, from planar coatings to fibers and capsules. The inherent versatile nature of this technique allows producing carriers resorting to distinct classes of materials, variable geometry and customized release profiles that fit within adequate criteria required for disease treatment or for novel applications in the tissue engineering field. The production methods of LbL reservoirs are varied and allow for different kinds of molecules to be incorporated, such as antibiotics, growth factors and biosensing substances, not limited to water-soluble molecules but including hydrophobic drugs. We will also debate the future of LbL in the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, multilayered structures are yet to be covered by the regulatory guidelines that govern the fabrication of nanotechnology products. However, as they stand now, LbL nanodevices have already shown usefulness for antifouling applications, gene therapy, nanovaccines and the formation of de novo tissues.
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal. Electronic address: rui.costa@dep.uminho.pt.
authors.forename: Rui R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Catedrático de CONACYT en Centro de Graduados e Investigación en Química del Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana, Blvd. Alberto Limón Padilla S/N, 22510 Tijuana, BC, Mexico.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alatorre-Meda
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal. Electronic address: jmano@dep.uminho.pt.
authors.forename: João F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mano
mesh_terms: D001671:Biochemistry / Q000379:methods; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D043942:Nanotubes; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D053769:Nanocapsules
keywords: Biomaterials; Drug delivery; Layer-by-layer; Nanocapsules; Nanodrugs; Nanofibers; Nanofilms; Nanomedicine; Stimuli-responsive nanobiomaterials; Tissue engineering