News & Comment

Research on nanoplastic has already provided some significant results but it has also exposed a large number of open questions.

Standardization and interoperability of data for both the functional and environmental performance properties of nanomaterials is essential to accelerate sustainable design.

The nanotechnology-enabled mRNA-based vaccine platform recently approved against COVID-19 bears hope for improved vaccine development and trialling capacities in low- and middle-income countries as part of a broader global public health agenda.

To achieve the biggest impact, nanotechnology-based strategies developed to manage infectious diseases in resourced-limited settings need to take into account the local context.

Sharing protocols with the end-users may allow their flexible implementation to produce nanotechnology solutions for global health challenges that better cater for local needs.

When developing nanotechnology solutions for global health it is important to be mindful of the ethical, environmental, socio-economical, cultural and legal aspects associated with their deployment.

We have launched a series of webinars to engage our audience in a way that is complementary to the publication of articles.

The understanding of catalytic nanomaterials and processes results in improved control over their performance to achieve commercial relevance.

Flexibly designed nanomaterials can trigger specific immune responses and might offer promising alternatives to traditional immunosuppressive therapies, cancer immunotherapies and vaccine formulations.

Two nanoparticle-based vaccines close to obtaining approval by the US Food and Drug Administration could represent a giant step in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

After fourteen years of writing for Nature Nanotechnology, Chris Toumey reflects on the role of experts in Science and Technology Studies in his last contribution to the journal.

Although the idea of using nanomaterials for agriculture is promising, we must consider in detail how nanotechnology can provide advantages over standard tools.

Two studies on sub-micrometre plastic particles provide evidence of plastic accumulation in terrestrial plants.

In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, it is time for the nanotechnology community to shine and build on its experience with nanoscale materials and drug delivery to provide knowledge and tools for COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics development.

Nano-formulating dexamethasone, and administering it via intravenous injection or inhalation, may help to improve anti-COVID-19 treatment efficacy by targeting the potent corticosteroid drug to hyper-activated immune cells, by potentiating its anti-oedema activity and by exploiting its anti-fibrotic effects.

Nanotechnology-based antimicrobial and antiviral formulations can prevent SARS-CoV-2 viral dissemination, and highly sensitive biosensors and detection platforms may contribute to the detection and diagnosis of COVID-19.

In reviewing a recent book, Chris Toumey reflects on the impact that social networks can have on the development of a number of technologies.