Advanced Catalytic Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications

Catalytic nanomedicine is evolving beyond single-mode nanozymes toward a paradigm of multi-field coupled catalysis. While nanozymes utilize endogenous chemical energy (e.g., H₂O₂) from the pathological microenvironment, intelligent nanocatalysts responsive to external physical fields (e.g., light and ultrasound) show great potential. Piezocatalysts can convert mechanical energy (e.g., ultrasound) into electrical energy and reactive oxygen species (ROS), enabling wireless therapies with deep tissue penetration and without the need for exogenous agents. Photocatalytic materials allow precise spatiotemporal control over catalytic processes using specific light wavelengths. In addition, other biomedical catalytic materials, including sonosensitizers and electrocatalysts, are demonstrating unique therapeutic value. Together, these materials form a powerful toolkit, primarily through catalytic ROS generation, offering diverse and synergistic solutions to intractable biomedical challenges such as deep-seated tumors and drug-resistant infections.This Research Topic aims to create a forefront platform for exploring the application and integration of catalytic nanomaterials in biomedicine that are driven by endogenous chemical energy and external physical energy, including nanozymes and piezo- and photocatalytic materials. The core objectives are:Mechanistic Exploration: To uncover the efficiency, mechanisms, and specificity of ROS generation and other therapeutic effects by different catalytic materials within complex biological environments.Application Innovation: To advance the application of these materials in disease treatment (e.g., chemodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and photodynamic therapy), antibacterial strategies (including anti-biofilm approaches), biosensing, and tissue engineering.Synergistic Design: To explore the construction of intelligent hybrid catalytic systems responsive to multiple stimuli, achieving synergistic therapeutic outcomes and paving the way for personalized medicine.This Topic welcomes research focused on the innovative design and application of nanozymes, piezocatalysts, photocatalysts, and other emerging biomedical catalytic materials. We invite submissions on the following themes, including but not limited to:Material Design: Rational construction of high-activity nanozymes and piezo- and photocatalytic nanomaterials (BaTiO₃, MoS₂, TiO₂, g-C₃N₄), as well as their heterostructures and composites.Mechanistic Studies: Energy conversion mechanisms, reactive species generation pathways, and interactions with biomolecules.Nanozymes: Chemodynamic therapy and microenvironment regulation.Piezocatalysis: Ultrasound-driven deep tumor therapy, nerve regeneration, antibacterial applications, and catalytic hydrogels.Photocatalysis: Precision photodynamic therapy and antibacterial disinfection via pollutant degradation.Diagnostics and Sensing: Catalytically enhanced biosensing and imaging.Synergistic Platforms: Construction and application of multi-modal catalytic systems (e.g., piezo-phototronic coupling and nanozyme-photocatalysis synergy).Biosafety and Translation: Long-term biocompatibility, in vivo metabolism, and scalable fabrication challenges for these materials. Topic editors: Zheye Zhang, A Gnanamani Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76285/advanced-catalytic-nanomaterials-for-biomedical-applications