Designer nanoparticles: incorporating size, shape and triggered release into nanoscale drug carriers

Areas covered in this review: How recent advances in fabrication technology allow synthesis of highly monodisperse, stimuli-responsive, drug-carrying nanoparticles of precise geometries is discussed. How particle properties, specifically shape and stimuli responsiveness, affect biodistribution, cellular uptake and drug release is also reviewed. What the reader will gain: The reader is introduced to recent developments in intelligent drug nanocarriers and new nanofabrication approaches that can be combined with disease-responsive biomaterials. This will provide insight into the importance of controlling particle geometry and incorporating stimuli-responsive materials into drug delivery. Take home message: The integration of responsive biomaterials into shape-specific nanocarriers is one of the most promising avenues towards the development of next generation, advanced drug delivery systems.