Navigating the Nanoverse: how emerging nanomaterials are transforming bioscience and society

Abstract

The rapid expansion of nanomaterials research has given rise to the concept of the Nanoverse, a multidisciplinary shared domain where increasingly sophisticated nanoscale architectures address societal challenges while introducing new safety and sustainability questions. This review writes up recent advances across diverse nanomaterial classes, including carbon-based nanomaterials, two-dimensional membranes, chromopeptide nanoarchitectures, microfluidic drug delivery platforms, extracellular vesicles, and antimicrobial nanomaterials. We trace the evolution of nanomaterial definitions, noting the widening scope to include particles up to micrometer size, and highlight how unique physicochemical properties govern biological uptake, intracellular fate, and environmental behavior. Using micro- and nanoplastics as a case study, we emphasize the need for realistic exposure assessments, biomolecular corona characterization, and ethical models for toxicological analysis such as C. elegans. By integrating material science, biotechnology, toxicology, and environmental science, we map the Nanoverse as both a technological frontier and a regulatory challenge. We believe that realizing its full potential requires harmonized characterization protocols, scalable manufacturing, and sustainable design principles to ensure that transformative nanomaterial applications advance responsibly from the labs to society.