Cellulose nanocrystals: a versatile nanoplatform for emerging biomedical applications.
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are bio-based nanomaterials typically derived from the acid hydrolysis of the most abundant natural polymer, cellulose. These nanomaterials have garnered significant interest due to their unique properties, such as uniform rod-like shape, high surface area, high strength, liquid crystalline behavior, tailored surface chemistry, biocompatibility, biodegradability, sustainability and non-toxic carbohydrate-based nature.



The recent developments in the use of unmodified and modified CNCs as versatile nanoplatforms for emerging biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems, enzyme/protein immobilization scaffolds, bioimaging, biosensing and tissue engineering are highlighted. A brief discussion of the biological and toxicity properties of CNCs is also presented.



While a number of recent studies have indicated that CNCs are promising nanomaterials for biomedical applications, there is a substantial amount of work that still remains to be done before realizing the full therapeutic potential of CNCs. Major effort should be focused on detailed in vitro and in vivo studies of modified CNCs constructs in order to better understand the integration of CNCs in the biological systems.
a Department of Chemistry , State University of New York at Plattsburgh , Plattsburgh , NY , USA.
Rajesh
R
Sunasee
b Aquatic and Crop Resource Development , National Research Council , Montreal , Canada.
Usha D
UD
Hemraz
a Department of Chemistry , State University of New York at Plattsburgh , Plattsburgh , NY , USA.
Karina
K
Ckless
D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D053758:Nanoparticles; D049329:Nanostructures; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D023822:Tissue Engineering
D011108:Polymers; D002482:Cellulose
Bioimaging; biological properties; cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs); drug delivery; tissue engineering; toxicity