The Fabrication and Application of Bio-Functional Microspheres

Bio-functional microspheres (BFMs), including drug carrier microspheres, fluorescence microspheres, magnetic microspheres, immune microspheres, enzyme immobilization microspheres, solid-phase synthesis microspheres, and molecular imprinting microspheres, are core-shell microspheres containing bio-molecules and functional materials in their structures. Because of the presence of core-shell structures and spherical shapes, BFMs bear many unique functions and fascinating properties. The research on BFMs has surprisingly blossomed during recent decades. In this review, we give a systematic, balanced and comprehensive summary of the main aspects of BFMs related to their preparation and application, and propose perspectives for future developments of BFMs.