LAUSR

Nanoand microencapsulation is at the cutting edge of modern drug delivery research and formulation development towards pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food and engineering applications [1]. From this perspective, the International Symposium on Microencapsulation (ISM) has been a well-established series of international symposia, which are usually held every two years. This special issue contains a number of contributions associated to the 22nd edition of ISM, held between 25 and 27 September 2019 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The symposium was co-hosted by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) together with the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). The main focus of this conference was to establish a discussion forum for the community of scientists, technicians and students in the microencapsulation and the next generation of this field – nanotechnology. A presymposium event, the international course “Emerging Trends in Nanobiotechnology & Nanomedicine” offered plenty of networking opportunities and knowledge for young researchers and students. With over 250 attendees and more than 170 submitted abstracts, the scientific program of 22nd ISM included plenary lectures and parallel sessions with keynote speakers from Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Denmark and Turkey. In addition to present new findings, they discussed various aspects shaping the future of the nanoand microencapsulation science. This special issue includes carefully selected, high quality contributions related to the field of nano and microencapsulation. These articles cover a plethora of topics, reflecting the wide interest for use of nanoand microparticles for delivery and targeting of biopharmaceuticals, antiparasitics, anti-inflammatory and anticancer drugs. Of note, new drug delivery systems such as liquid crystalline nanodispersions, DNA polymer films and cubosomes have been explored. Still, an interface between drug delivery and biomaterials is highlighted in manuscripts focusing natural products and otolith scaffolds. Special emphasis is dedicated to drug and vaccine delivery in treatment and prevention of neglected tropical diseases, as presented by Prof. Sevda Şenel (University of Hacettepe, Turkey). In an elegant strategy, inhalable starch/carrageenan microparticles were developed for simultaneous delivery of anti-tuberculosis drugs, as presented by the research team led by Prof. Ana Grenha (University of Algarve, Portugal). The manuscript authored by Prof. Juan Irache and colleagues (University of Navarra, Spain) describes zein nanoparticles coated with a polymer conjugate of Gantrez® and thiamine as a smart formulation able to enhance the intestinal absorption of insulin. Other big ideas featured in this special issue focus on nanoand microparticles and their role in cancer diagnosis and treatment. For a case in point, Aline de Souza et al. (Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil) developed PLA-PEG nanospheres for peptide-mediated targeting to colorectal cancer detection by combining phage display technique and nanoprecipitation. In turn, an interesting research performed by Prof. A.C. Tedesco and his team (University of São Paulo, USP, Brazil) assessed the efficacy of DNA polymer films as a drug delivery system for photodynamic therapy of mucosal cancer. Ferreira et al., from the São Paulo State University, UNESP, Brazil, * Fabio Rocha Formiga [email protected]