MOFs and Biomacromolecules for Biomedical Applications

Recent progress has shown that Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs) can be integrated with biomacromolecules. Depending on the synthesis protocol used, it is possible to control the spatial localization of the biomacromolecules in or on MOF biocomposites. When biomacromolecules are infiltrated or encapsulated within MOFs, the porous materials were found to form a protective coating around the bioactive entity, thus offering improved stability to non-native external environments that would normally lead to its degradation. When MOF particles are surface functionalized with biomacromolecules either via adsorption or grafting, enhanced targeting capabilities and improved biodistribution were observed. In this book chapter, we examine the principal synthetic methods for the preparation of MOF bio-composites. We discuss the progress toward combining the four main classes of biomacromolecules, such as proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids, with MOFs, and disclose relevant examples for application to drug delivery, biopreservation, and biosensing. As MOF biocomposites composition has been extended from biomacromolecules to more complex biological systems, including viruses and cells, we illustrate how MOFs can be used for the preparation of protective exoskeletons for potential applications to vaccine transportation/delivery and regenerative medicine.