Nanotechnology applications towards the medical field promises many benefits towards society. Various ideas are either being tested or in every day use today.
One concept that is developed is drug delivery. This technique involves using nanoparticles to deliver drugs, heat, light or other substances to specific types of cells. The nanoparticles are engineered to be attracted to diseased cells. This technique can reduce the damage made to healthy cells and detect diseases earlier.
New techniques in therapy have been affected by nanotechnology. Researchers have developed "nanosponges" that can absorb toxins from the bloodstream. These are polymer nanoparticles coated in red blood cell membrane to allow the particles to travel freely and attract toxins.
Nanorobots in cell repair could eventually be programmed to repair specific diseased cells. This reprogramming will allow them to function in a way similar to our antibodies natural healing processes.
The picture above illustrates a nanoparticles journey to a cancer cell. The yellow strands of polyethylene glycol proctect the particle from white blood cells. Once the tumor reaches the tumor tissue, the low pH causes the nanoparticle to release. It exposes another layer of tumor targeting anitbodies which penetrate cancer cells, where the even lower pH breaks up the particles and releases the drug payload trapped in the particles’ cores.
Cancer is the name given to a collection of diseases where cells begin to divide without dying. When the dividing continues, tumors form which can damage organs nearby. All the processes of cancer are at a nanoscale. The impact of nanotechnology on cancer treatment by providing rapid and sensitive detection.
Quantum dots, which are anti-body coated to send photo luminescence signals, could be useful for screenings of cancer. Different colored dots will be attached to biomarkers to allow scientists to differentiate cancerous from healthy cells.
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