The curiosity of the human brain knows no limits, and fabrication of materials at the nanometer scale (One meter = 1 billion nanometers) is an outcome of such supreme power of the human brain. Ever since the concept of nanotechnology has been introduced by Richard P Faynman in 1959, various nanoparticles of dimensions ranging from 1 nm to 100 nm have been designed and used in multiple areas related to human life. Nanotechnology involves the use of nanoparticles made by the perfect arrangement of molecules in such a way that these dwarf particles gain all the desired chemical and physical properties. High precision and functional perfection of these devices make them very helpful to mankind (Khan, 2007) (Patil et al., 2008). Applications of nanotechnology in the form of cheaper solar energy collectors, environmentally-friendly batteries and supercapacitors that store energy help us to protect our precious environment. Nanobiotechnology refers to the use of nanotechnology in the field of health and medicine to promote earlier detection and better diagnosis of diseases. The application of nanomedicine has made it possible to carry out a highly targeted delivery of drugs making the concept of personalized medicines a dream come true (Wojnicz, 2011).
Disadvantages of Conventional Medicines
The major limitations of the current medicines are their non-specific action and decreased efficacy. Anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs are a good example of non-specific action of drugs as they damage the adjacent healthy cells along with the cancerous cells, leading to adverse effects like bone marrow suppression, cardiomyopathy, hair loss, etc. This decreases the efficiency of these drugs. Sophisticated techniques to detect the presence of disease at an early stage are not available for all known diseases. These diagnostic techniques are very lengthy in some incidents, as they involve the extraction of a sample and its analysis at a different location. Some conventional surgical procedures are intensive and demand a long stay of the patient in the hospital affecting the patient’s life in multiple ways (Surendiran et al., 2009).
Advantages of Nanobiotechnology
Nanoscale-structured materials promise to revolutionize multiple sub-disciplines of medicine. Nanoparticles made up of tiny fluorescent 'quantum dots” make the early detection of diseases feasible. As these quantum dots fluoresce brightly, the precise area of the diseases can be pinpointed at a very early stage with the help of sophisticated imaging techniques. Devices like 'lab-on-a-chip' are nanotechnological devices that make the instantaneous diagnosis of certain diseases feasible. Nanorobots can facilitate the targeted delivery of the drug precisely at the cellular or molecular level, hence increasing the efficacy of the drugs (5).
Applications of Nanotechnology
Some of the current applications of nanotechnology in the field of medicine include:
Targeted drug delivery system. Nanorobots can target the drugs to a precise area of the human body and reduce the chances of side-effects. The amount of drug and the time of the drug release can also be controlled with the help of an electric pulse. These robots can also monitor the sugar levels in blood (Khan, 2007). Liposomes are spherical nanoparticles made up of bi-layer membranes. They can be used in the delivery of liposomal drugs. Nanoshells, which absorb the infrared radiations of the electromagnetic spectrum, prevent the destruction of the healthy tissues during cancer treatment. Fullerenes, also known as “bucky balls”, act as free radical scavengers as they contain a large number of conjugated double bonds at the core. They help in the transport of anticancer agents and antibiotics, and protect the mitochondria from injury. Nanopore devices can act as semi-permeable membranes. They can be designed to allow the entry of oxygen and glucose to protect the transplanted tissues from unwanted host immune responses. At the same time, immunoglobulin and cells are blocked by this device.
Regenerative medicine. Manipulation of the cell proliferation and differentiation has become possible due to nanotechnology. Nanoparticles similar to the human tissues can be designed. For example, bone-like nanoparticles can be introduced to supplement the degraded bone tissues (Khan, 2007). Experiments are being carried out to replace the damaged nerve cells also.
Prevention of disease. Unwanted fat deposits in the arteries and veins are the cause of heart attacks. Specialized nanorobots capable of removing these unwanted fats can help in the prevention of heart diseases. Iron nanoparticles, which specifically attach to the tumors, help in the treatment of cancer. When magnetic field is applied these particles, they get heated up due to which the tumor cells get cooked and die (Khan, 2007).
Use of nanorobotics during surgery. A programmed surgical robot can replace the necessity of the conventional invasive techniques of traditional macro-surgery. They can guide the surgeon in detecting the site of pathology. These nanorobots can also correct lesions by manipulating them in a minimally invasive manner. A supervising surgeon is guided by ultrasound signals and an onboard computer during these manipulations (Patil et al., 2008) (6).
Use of microbivores against pathogens. Microbivores are artificially designed phagocytes that have the potency to circulate in the blood stream and engulf various foreign pathogens like bacteria, viruses, or fungi. They function like white blood cells (WBCs) and possess a greater efficiency than WBCs. These devices can clear septic infections in less than an hour (Patil et al., 2008) (Surendiran et al., 2009).
Application of nanotechnology in gene therapy. Gene therapy uses viral vectors to deliver desirable DNA to the host. These viral vectors are often considered non-self and a host immune response is triggered against them, due to which they get rejected. Under such conditions, the delivery of genetic material with the help of nanoparticles can act as an effective gene delivery system. Liposomes target the liver cells and can be used to cure various liver disorders (Surendiran et al., 2009).
Limitations of Nanotechnology
Even though nanoparticles have immense potential to revolutionize the field of medicine, their application is very limited as they pose a serious threat to the environment when produced in large quantities. Upon disposal into water bodies, these nanoparticles can kill the bacteria impacting the base of the ecosystem. They also affect the ozone layer. As these particles are very small in dimension, they can also affect the health of the lungs. Further research is required in this line so that healthy, environmental friendly nanoparticles are created which can prove to be efficient solutions to many diseases.
References
Coombs, R. (1996). Nanotechnology in Medicine. Informa Healthcare.
Khan, A (2007). NANOTECHNOLOGY: Applications in medicine and possible Side-Effects. Faculty.kfupm.edu.sa. Retrieved January 28, 2014, from http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffaculty.kfupm.edu.sa%2FMATH%2Fsdkhan%2FARCHIVE%2Fnanotech-214.pdf&ei=F3HnUoPOCsTRrQemuoHwDA&usg=AFQjCNExFSnNyk3SzUH1TwK2vtInbN0aUQ&sig2=WeiztTQ-UU5e3hmFu1Jj-w&bvm=bv.59930103,d.bmk
Nanotechnology for Medical Applications and Environment. (2014). Nano.org.uk. Retrieved January 28, 2014, from http://www.nano.org.uk/nano/what-is-nanotechnology-2
Patil, M., Mehta, S, Dhoom., Guvva, Sowjanya. (2008). Future impact of nanotechnology on medicine and dentistry. Indian Soc Periodontol, 12(2), 34–40.
Surendiran, A., Sandhiya, S., Pradhan, C, S., and Adithan, C. (2009). Novel applications of nanotechnology in medicine. Indian J Med Res, 130, 689-701.
Wojnicz, R. (2011). Nanomedicine as the basis of personalised medicine. Kardiol Pol, 69(10), 1107-8.
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