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| Nanotechnology in Medicine |
Nanotechnology in Medicine
Advances in technology is bringing us ever closer to the introduction of nanotechnology in medicine and health care. This is an unprecedented move as nanotechnology can revolutionize how certain diseases are treated as well as bring new methods for medicine delivery that can bring new hope to people who are sick.
What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology was first envisioned by Richard Feynman (a Nobel Laureate) in1959 in a lecture he did called There’s Plenty of Room at The Bottom. This vision of the future eventually became a reality. To better understand what nanotechnology means, it will be a good idea to use the definition used by the United States’ National Nanotechnology Initiative. The group defines nanotechnology as "the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications.”
These “novel applications” are being developed in many different industries. The field of medicine though is where most of the exciting new developments are happening. Although the kind of nanotechnology applications being developed for medical purposes are so far from the fantastic science fiction visions of the film Fantastic Voyage, the applications themselves are no less exciting.
For example, at present the company Gilead Sciences is currently selling a revolutionary drug delivery system that makes use of lipid spheres or liposomes. These substances, which measure about 100 nanometers in diameter, are used to encase an anticancer medicine. Additionally, there is has been research that indicates that nanoprobes have been seen to be effective in killing off cancer cells in mice.
Amazing technologies
The nanotechnology applications being used for medicine are far more exciting and much more significant than the ones mentioned. Below are some of the very impressive nanotechnology applications that are being developed for medical purposes:
1. Imaging
In order to more accurately diagnose a patient, doctors need various lab tests. The most important and revealing test though are the imaging reports on the internal parts of the body. Nanotechnology is being used to vastly improve the overall quality of imaging output through the use of nanoprobes. Nanoprobes are like super miniature machines that are capable of attaching themselves to certain particles of the body, for example antibodies. After attaching themselves they then start emitting a magnetic field. This enables the easier tracking of these nanoprobes and thus improves the overall quality of imaging pictures. New improvements may even make fluorescent tags obsolete. Using this technology may even improve the chances of early detection for tumors, especially those that are still small in size.
Another imaging application for nanotechnology are so-called quantum dots that emit different wavelengths of light depending on how small they are. This characteristic of quantum dots are exciting researchers because they are better than conventional dyes. This would give doctors a better method for studying and diagnosing tissues far longer than they are able to do right now.
2. Medicine Delivery Mechanisms
In a recent study, more than 100,000 people die from negative reactions to medicines prescribed to them. With nanotechnology it is hoped that this figure will drop significantly. The product sold by Gilead Sciences is not the only nanotechnology-based medicine delivery mechanism being developed or sold in the market. Nanotechnology can have the capability of delivering medicine precisely where it is needed – it lessens accidental deaths from adverse reactions and it also lessens the side effects. For example, a type of artificial molecule called organic dendrimers is being touted as a great medicine delivery transport. It possesses small spaces which gives it a larger total surface area – a characteristic that makes it perfect for delivering medicine. Research is currently being undertaken to develop dendrimers that actually swell and only release the medicine depending on the presence of certain trigger molecules around it. This would allow for the pinpoint precision of bringing medicine to the exact tissue.
Other medicine delivery systems being developed at present include hollow polymer capsules that respond to signals to release its payload of drugs and nanoshells – small gold-coated glass beads that absorb light, heat up and deform, releasing medicine.
3. Cancer treatments
The previously mentioned nanoshells are also seen as a great treatment for cancer. The theory is that if these shells are binded to antibodies that will bring them really close to a tumor and then it is heated up with infrared light then it may be able to heat itself enough that it will actually destroy the tumor without damaging nearby healthy cells.
Nanotechnology can also be used to force the apoptosis (the disintegration of cells) of eukaryotic cells. By doing this, all the harmless cells will be saved and not be damaged. Another way of dealing with eukaryotic cells with nanotechnology is be delivering certain proteins that will disrupt or stop the cell division process. This will prevent a tumor from actually growing and spreading to other organs.
Nanotechnology-created applications can also result in the precise delivery of radiation to affected parts of the body thereby preventing other healthy tissues and cells from getting damaged from harmful radiation. Based on laboratory studies, this method is proving to be quite effective in combating cancer cells.
4. Coronary help
One of the most exciting nanotechnology applications being developed at present are so-called nanorobots that can save the lives of millions of people around the world.
Heart attacks are one of the most common causes of fatalities all over the world. A clogged artery will prevent blood from flowing into the heart and being redistributed to other parts of the body. Nanorobots are being developed to prevent clots from happening. These nanorobots can clean and clear the clots that have begun to form in the artery and help move them along the bloodstream so that it will not cause any harm to the body anymore. With this method you are effectively giving people a new lease in life and also prevent the build up of any other forms of cholesterol or other harmful ingredients that can contribute to coronary heart disease and may eventually result to deadly strokes and heart attacks. |
| Average rating: 3 | Add 15 Apr 06 Mark Bor |
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| Comments |
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| u |
wow koolio...awsomedidlious!! |
| Mayank |
stunningly precise |
| kanya |
concise information |
| L. Bates |
Very informative and accurate information. |
| Dr.Helios |
very good info...i like it.. |
| meriena |
very gooo info.i like it.it is useful........ |
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