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This volume serves as a valuable handbook for the development of nanomedicines made of polymer nanoparticles because it provides researchers, students, and entrepreneurs with all the material necessary to begin their own projects in this field. Readers will find protocols to prepare polymer nanoparticles using different methods, since these are based on the variety of experiences that experts encounter in the field. In addition, complex topics such as, the optimal characterization of polymer nanoparticles is discussed, as well as practical guidelines on how to formulate polymer nanoparticles into nanomedicines, and how to modify the properties of nanoparticles to give them the different functionalities required to become an efficient nanomedicine for different clinical applications. The book also discusses the translation of technology from research to practice, considering aspects related to industrialization of preparation and aspects of regulatory and clinical development.

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Preface.- Introduction Part I: Polymer nanoparticles for in vivo applications: Progress on preparation methods and future challenges.- Nanoprecipitation process: From particlepreparation to in vivo applications.- Targeted Theragnostic Nanoparticles via Flash Nanoprecipitation: Principles of Materials Selection.- Preparation of polymer nanoparticles by the emulsification-solvent evaporation method: from Vanderhoff s pioneer approach to recent adaptations.- Methods for the preparation of nanoparticles by polymerization.- Shape-controlled nanoparticles for drug delivery and targeting applications.- Physicochemical characterization of polymer nanoparticles: Challenges and present limitations.- Imaging polymer nanoparticles by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy techniques.- Evaluating the interactions between proteins and components of the immune system with polymer nanoparticles.- Investigating interactions between nanoparticles and cells: internalization and intracellular trafficking.- Characterization of mucoadhesive interactions between nanoparticles and epithelial membranes.- Designing polymer nanoparticle nanomedicines: potential applications and challenges.- Selecting and designing polymers suitable for nanoparticles manufacturing.- Associating Drugs with Polymer Nanoparticles: A Challenge.- Drug delivery by nanoparticles: The Challenge of Controlled Release and Evaluation.- Interaction between nanoparticles and plasma proteins: effects on nanoparticle biodistribution and toxicity.- Toxicological aspects of polymer nanoparticles.- Theranostics: In Vivo.- Nanomedicines -A scientific toy or an emerging market?.- Regulatory perspective on the development of polymeric nanomaterials.

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