Metal–organic frameworks for biological applications

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as exciting potential new candidates for application across nanomedicine, with the first example now in a phase II human clinical trial. MOFs have a range of desirable properties that make them suitable for various applications, including drug delivery, imaging and new treatment modalities, often in concert. In this Primer, we present an overview of the application of MOFs in biomedicine, focusing on drug delivery and imaging, but highlighting the chemical and structural versatility that is enabling their implementation in emerging treatment modalities and new biological applications. We discuss best practices in synthesis, characterization and application, including ongoing issues with reproducibility and limitations of applications, ending with an outlook of the field. Metal–organic frameworks have a range of desirable properties that make them suitable for application in drug delivery, imaging and new treatment modalities. In this Primer, Lázaro et al. discuss the best practices in synthesis and characterization of metal–organic frameworks for biomedicine.