Episode notes
Rebeca T. Stiepel et al., wrote this article in Bioengineering and Translational Medecine and provides a historical overview of micro- and nanotechnology platforms used in medicine, dating back to the 1790s. The authors classify different technologies based on the materials they use, including inorganic, polymer-based, lipid-based, and cell-based therapies. They then discuss the successes of these platforms, including the rapid development of lipid nanoparticle vaccines for COVID-19, and the efficacy of PEGylation, a technique used to improve the properties of drug carriers. However, they also address the challenges that have hindered the widespread adoption of micro- and nanotechnology, such as the manufacturing complexities, potential toxicity, and immune responses. The authors conclude by highlighting ...