oa Editorial [Hot Topic: Absorption, Pharmacokinetics and Disposition of Biodegradable Nanoscale Preparations (Guest Editors: ZhiYong Qian and YunFeng Lin)]

In recent years, nanoscale drug delivery systems (NDDS) have been transformed from laboratory to market with faster speed due to the combination of nanotechnology, material science and life science. Advances in designing and engineering of NDDS with distinct physical and biochemical properties will bring enormous impact on public health because NDDS are capable of carrying drugs (small, peptides, proteins), nucleic acids or antigens across biological barriers to reach a specific organization and then locate in the cell or even sub-cellular organelles, which can help to improve treatment efficacy and reduce adverse drug reactions. Global research into targeting of drugs, biologics and diagnostic agents via intravenous and interstitial routes of administration with NDDS is accelerating dramatically. However, more and more researchers come to realize that the biosafety and the biological performance of NDDS should be made clear, which are often related with the dose, size, shape, surface reactivity and inherent material properties of NDDS. Indeed, the underlying processes of toxicity are both complex and multifaceted, and in need of urgent detailed cell and molecular investigation. In this emerging area, many advances have been made in the recent years, but no latest books or edited collections have well summarized the recent advances. This special issue will be the first one to summarize the latest progress, which is of great appeal to students and researchers in the fields of biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, materials science, physics, medicine and biology. It is also of interest to practising engineers, materials scientists, chemists and research medical doctors involved in the development of more safety NDDS for medical care. Particularly, the issue will play a key role on professional reference and future teaching.