Preface

This book includes ten chapters organized into four sections on "Biotechnology", "Biomaterials", "Tissue Engineering", and "Biosensors". Each chapter describes and discusses the state of the art, perspectives, and end technology of some applications in biomaterials, tissue engineering, and biosensors.

Section 1 includes two chapters. Chapter 1, "Inventoried Yeast Species in Algeria", proposes and explains biotechnology strategies that allow for the better use of yeast to benefit agricultural, environmental, food, animal, and human health. Although the case study in this chapter is from Algeria, the work can be replicated elsewhere in the world.

Chapter 2, "Upgrading Non-conventional Yeasts into Valuable Biofactories", explores the use of synthetic yeast, which promotes the production of relevant chemical compounds from biofuels to therapeutics biomolecules. *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* is the most studied yeast and has served as a model for the study of expression systems with higher reproducible results. The chapter defines the status of the most used nonconventional yeasts in metabolite production as well as the optimization engineering technologies to regulate protein expression of Pichia pastoris, *Kluyveromyces marxianus, Kluyveromyces lactis,* and *Yarrowia lipolytica*.

Section 2 includes three chapters. Chapter 3, "Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles: A Biocompatible Multi-Functional Polymer for Drug Delivery", discusses the properties of silk fibroin and biopolymers such as polylactide (PLA), poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and collagen. It also describes the structure and synthesis of silk fibroin nanoparticles. The chapter examines the use of the discussed biopolymers as nanocarriers in drug delivery systems for cancer treatment.

Chapter 4, "Emerging Selenium Nanoparticles for CNS Intervention", discusses the potential of using selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of brain pathologies. It explains the properties of nanoparticles and how these properties can be applied as nanocarriers. The chapter also highlights new developments in the application of nanoparticles for diagnostics.

Chapter 5, "Antibacterial Strategies: Photodynamic and Photothermal Treatments Based on Carbon-Based Materials", discusses the problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and how conventional treatments are losing efficacy for bacterial infection. This chapter proposes new therapies using multifunctional materials. It discusses photodynamic and photothermal technologies and analyzes the physicochemical, biological, and mechanical properties of photosensitizers and photothermal agents.

Section 3 includes two chapters. Chapter 6, "Frontier Electrospun Fibers for Nanomedical Applications", describes the electrospinning technique, which is used to produce electrospun nanofibers, which are ideal for several applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, and biosensors, among others. The chapter examines the advantages and limitations of nanofibers and proposes future perspectives.

Chapter 7, "Influence of Mechanical Properties of Biomaterials on the Reconstruction of Biomedical Parts via Additive Manufacturing Techniques: An Overview", describes the state of the art of additive manufacturing and 3D printing approaches to fabricate organs of biological scaffolds for tissue engineering. It also discusses the biomaterials that can be used in these technologies. The chapter presents the final properties of printed biomaterials, focusing on cartilage and skin tissues.

Section 4 includes three chapters. Chapter 8, "Challenges and Emerging Technologies in Biomanufacturing of Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs)", discusses the current biological and engineering challenges for the manufacturing of antibodies, developments in cell line engineering, intensified processing, continuous manufacturing, automation of and innovations in process analytical technologies, and single-use technologies.

Chapter 9, "Nanomaterials as Novel Biomarkers for Cancer Nanotheranostics: State of the Art", highlights the role of nanotechnology and nanotheranostics in early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Lastly, Chapter 10, "Biosensor for the Detection of Cyanobacterial Toxin Microcystin-LR", explains the challenges of cyanobacteria present in the environment, its proliferation conditions, and how a biosensor detecting microcystin-LR (MC-LR) molecule can be a good strategy for monitoring and controlling this microorganism.

> **Dr. Luis Jesús Villarreal-Gómez** Research Professor, Faculty of Engineering and Technology Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Tijuana, Baja California, México
