Recent Progresses in Bio-Inorganic Nanohybrids

This review presents a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the field of bio-inorganic nanohybrids. In the first part of this review, examples on hybridization of biomembrane mimics with inorganic backbone are described. Silane-bearing amphiphile was used for the preparation of Langmuir-Blodgett films that are mechanically stable and capable of permeation controls and electrode modification with vitamin function. The similar amphiphiles were utilized to form organic-inorganic hybrid vesicle "Cerasome", which can be assembled in layer-by-layer manner to construct multi-cellular mimic. Furthermore, the potential applications of the above materials are reviewed and proposed. The second part of this review provides the methodology of immobilizing various biomolecules into nanosized inorganic structures including clay minerals and layer-by-layer (LBL) assemblies. Films and hollow capsules prepared through the LBL techniques offer sophisticated designs of the bio-inorganic nanohybrids that can be applied to biomaterial entrapment and bio-reactors. Examples on hybridization of biomolecules with mesoporous inorganic structure are also introduced in the last part. A controlled release of biochemical drugs and immobilization of bio-assemblies on the materials with welldefined pore structures in nanometer ranges are briefly examined, discussed and summarized.