(178i) Nanomaterials for Biosensing, Drug Delivery, and 3D Bioprinting.

Nanomaterials have facilitated advancements in biomedical applications ranging from diagnostic imaging to targeted drug delivery, and 3D-bioprinting for tissue engineering. This poster introduces three innovative platforms powered by nanomaterials: nanosensor-enabled chemical cystoscopy for bladder cancer diagnosis, biomimetic coacervates for enzyme-responsive drug delivery, and 3D-bioprinted human skins for understanding skin tone impact. First, a library of amphiphilic copolymers was developed to functionalize fluorescent carbon nanotubes for detecting bladder cancer biomarkers. Our 25 promising nanosensors, selected based on sensitivity and selectivity, were grafted onto medical catheter to produce biomedical chemical imaging maps, spatially localizing tumor sites. Second, nano-sized coacervates were developed via the self-assembly of heparin with mussel-inspired peptides. These coacervates involved a thrombin-recognition site within their peptide building block, resulting in the controlled drug release upon thrombin proteolysis. Lastly, human skin was 3D-bioprinted using denatured collagen and synthetic melanin. Synthetic melanin nanoparticles matched their absorption and scattering coefficients with real melanosomes, producing similar optical properties to real-human skin. The impact of human skin tone on multiple biomedical optics was evaluated, producing quantitative data to reduce racial-based bias in biomedical optical imaging. Overall, nanomaterials hold significant potential to enhance current diagnostic and therapeutic platforms, ultimately advancing systems for global human health.