Biological applications of chiral inorganic nanomaterials

Chirality. 2022 May;34(5):760-781. doi: 10.1002/chir.23428. Epub 2022 Feb 21.

Abstract

Chirality is common in nature and plays the essential role in maintaining physiological process. Chiral inorganic nanomaterials with intense optical activity have attracted more attention due to amazing properties in recent years. Over the past decades, many efforts have been paid to the preparation and chirality origin of chiral nanomaterials; furthermore, emerging biological applications have been investigated widely. This review mainly summarizes recent advances in chiral nanomaterials. The top-down and bottom-up preparation methods and chirality origin of chiral nanomaterials are introduced; besides, the biological applications, such as sensing, therapy, and catalysis, will be introduced comprehensively. Finally, we also provide a perspective on the biomedical applications of chiral nanomaterials.

Keywords: biocatalysis; cancer therapy; chiral nanomaterials; nanomedicine; sensors.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Nanostructures*
  • Stereoisomerism