Membrane fusion-inspired nanomaterials: emerging strategies for infectious disease and cancer diagnostics

Abstract

Membrane fusion, a foundational process in biological systems, has inspired the development of nanomaterials with transformative potential in biomedical applications, particularly in the diagnosis of infectious diseases and cancer. By emulating nature's intricate fusion mechanisms, these biomimetic nanomaterials offer unparalleled sensitivity, specificity, and versatility for detecting disease-related biomarkers. Recent advancements have focused on engineering lipid nanoparticles that mimic viruses or exosomes, incorporating functionalization and signal amplification systems to enable targeted biomarker recognition and precise molecular interactions. Fusion-inspired nanomaterials have emerged as powerful tools for rapid viral detection, exosome-based liquid biopsies, and high-throughput disease monitoring. Moreover, the incorporation of external stimuli-such as pH, ions, enzymes, and light-further enhances the spatiotemporal control of fusion events, paving the way for highly selective and responsive diagnostic tools. Despite remarkable progress, critical challenges remain in optimizing the stability, scalability, and precise control of these nanomaterials for clinical translation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the principles underlying membrane fusion-inspired nanomaterials, highlighting recent advancements, key challenges, and future directions in the field. As the field continues to evolve, these bioinspired systems hold immense promise for advancing next-generation diagnostics and personalized medicine, offering a way for more accurate, efficient, and accessible healthcare solutions.