Supramolecular Porous Materials for Biomedical Applications

Supramolecular porous materials offer dynamic, stimuli-responsive platforms for biomedical applications, enabling precise molecular recognition, cargo delivery, and diagnostics. This perspective proposes programmable self-assembly into tailored architectures for use in tissue engineering, biosensing, and soft robotics. Overcoming design, assembly, and scalability challenges will be key to realizing their potential in personalized medicine and smart diagnostics.

Abstract

Supramolecular porous materials have been used to tackle some major challenges in modern biomedical science, including disease therapy and diagnosis. Their inherent dynamicity, stimuli-responsiveness, and tunable architectures enable precise control over molecular recognition, cargo encapsulation, and release kinetics. This perspective explores their potential in diagnostics and therapeutics, highlighting adaptability to physiological stimuli and precise control over structure via bottom-up assembly. A visionary framework is proposed for programmable self-assembly, where supramolecular building blocks form porous architectures with customized channels and responsive behavior, facilitating applications in tissue engineering, biosensing, soft robotics, and cargo recognition. Addressing challenges related to building block design, assembly conditions, and scalability will be crucial for translating these materials from bench to bedside. This perspective underscores the transformative potential of supramolecular porous materials in advancing personalized medicine and smart diagnostics.