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Nanotechnology is all the rage, it seems. The word 'nanotechnology' has been popping up in news articles and research papers more frequently. So I want to know...
What exactly is nanotechnology and how can it impact your health?
The basic definition of nanotechnology is anything related to the building of materials on a nanometer scale-a scale smaller than one millionth of a meter.
Nanotechnology is a highly interdisciplinary field encompassing elements of colloidal science, physics, chemistry and biology.
While its research has wide reaching implications the specific health benefits of nanotechnology come from its use in designing and implementing medical treatments.
One great example is how nanoparticles are being used to target anticancer drugs directly to cancer cells to kill them without harming nearby non-cancerous cells. This is a great way to reap the benefits of anticancer drugs without the unwanted side effects of drug toxicity.
As advancements in nanotechnology continue, the resulting health benefits will also improve and give us more options for use in disease treatment.
Technorati Tags: nanotechnology, nanoparticles
Image of nanoparticle from www.zyvex.com
Comments
Nanotechnology is a nice buzzword to help get funding for research which might otherwise have been called "materials science" or "molecular biology."
Posted by: Mustafa Mond, FCD | January 18, 2007 1:52 PM
Welcome to the Family!
Posted by: coturnix | January 18, 2007 2:13 PM
Welcome to scienceblogs!!!
Posted by: steve | January 18, 2007 9:14 PM
Hi,
This is the first time I am hearing of Nanotechnology, has there been predictions of science fiction with nanotechnology?
Thanks
Posted by: Lauren C. | July 6, 2007 9:59 AM
Yes. For more information you can check out this website (and I'm sure there are many others). It highlights instances where the science of nanotechnology has been used in science fiction.
Posted by: Karen Ventii | July 10, 2007 1:25 AM
have you received
Posted by: PREMKUMAR | July 28, 2007 1:15 PM
Is nanotechnology really capable of destroying unwanted cells and controlling the structure of the atoms very well. and also is it possible for us to control the movements of the atoms the way we want to. If we can do that then we will be able to cure tumors, viruses.
Posted by: china | August 16, 2007 7:29 PM
Hi China,
Is nanotechnology really capable of destroying unwanted cells?
Yes it is possible for nanotechnology to destroy cells. For example researchers have used nanotechnology (in the form of heated nanoprobes) to destroy breast cancer cells in a mouse model without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. More research is being done to adapt the technology for use in humans.
Is it possible for us to control the movements of the atoms the way we want to?
The science of nanotechnology involves the manipulation of atoms to create tools that can be used in science or medicine and yes it is possible to control the movement of the atoms within the nanoparticle to create specific types of nanoparticles for specific uses.
If we can do that then we will be able to cure tumors, viruses.
Scientists have developed laser nanotechnology to detect viruses in blood samples by detecting the specific change in frequency of a near-infrared laser as it scatters off viral DNA or RNA but I found little information about nanoparticles that target and destroy viruses directly.
I hope the information I've provided is insightful. Here are some of the resources I used if you want to read more.
Resource 1
Resource 2
Resource 3
Resource 4
Posted by: Karen Ventii | August 23, 2007 10:32 AM
How can i obtain my Ph.D degree on nanotechnology.
Posted by: Morshed Shafiul Hasan | October 6, 2007 4:15 AM
Hi Karen,
just came across your nice blog. Wellcome to discriminating into science and medicine - c ur answer to China. That�s a gap lots of patients and scientists are afraid of, too. Well, and you shouldn�t forget to mention materials science, information technology and engineering as major drivers in nanotech.
Nano* is still a buzzword (yes Mustafa!, but if you apply bibliometrics, you�ll see the dynamics are fading) with lots of visions and phantasies behind, but actually done e.g. by colloid- and macromolec. science for some 100 years, thus simply but smartly a hype created to attract investors and to dazzle dozy politicians / decision makers.
Of course science (and medicine!) needs substancial funding to explore new terrain, and that "plenty of room at the bottom" does provide ample realisable opportunities also for medicine. Have for example a look at Drug Delivery and Drug Targetting research (dendrimers, liposomes, micelles, supra-molecular assemblies, fullerenes, ... which all are NO nanoparticles), crossing blood-brain barrier, trigger-specific "sleeping" pre-emptive medication, or the magneto-thermotherapy of (a specific brain!) cancer with neglectable collateral damage you mentioned above. But, first of all, find the right key for the right lock to enable a (site-)specific treatment, and that�s nothing about nano.
Good luck �n lots of love from Me
Posted by: Me | November 15, 2007 7:50 AM
Are you familiar with the company Starpharma?
http://www.brr.com.au/event/SPL/1305/35843/wmp/k2scq8jd4f
They are using Dendrimers for drug targeting, cancer, miccrobicides, etc.
Lead product is Vivagel -a microbicide gel being developed for the prevention of STD's, HIV, Herpes, and prevents contraception. Starpharma recently struck a deal with Durex condom company to provided Vivagel as a condom coating! The deal is for a "co-development evaluation program. Word is the condoms good be on the market in as early as 12 months..
Do you have any opinion on this technology/company?
Mike
Posted by: ExpatMikeT | November 25, 2007 8:36 PM
Dear Me,
Thank you for your comment
Posted by: Karen Ventii | November 29, 2007 11:05 PM
Dear ExpatMikeT
Thank you for your comment.
I think the concept of VivaGel(TM) is a good one. I actually wrote about a similar technology almost a year ago (Click here). I wonder if there is any link between the two technologies.
The Starpharma website says that VivaGel(TM) has been granted Fast Track status by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so things look promising.
This would definitely be interesting to write about-I'll keep watch on developments.
Posted by: Karen Ventii | November 29, 2007 11:56 PM
Hi Dr. Karen Ventii-a,
Nice to hear about this blog , Dr. Karen who we can start leaning or reseach nano technology. is there any way to study about nano?. i am little bit know about nano can you send me the leaning path .
thanks
best regards
nilanga
Posted by: Nilanga | December 8, 2007 8:28 AM
Hi Nilanga,
There are a number of institutions that offer degree programs specializing in nanotechnology. Follow this link to a 'Google Answers' thread that addresses your question and provides other great resources. Hope this helps.
Posted by: Karen Ventii | December 11, 2007 4:27 PM
You know that is how everything else with science got started! Exspirementing with the
Posted by: Rose Marcrum | January 15, 2008 2:52 PM
i am student of bsc.and i am intrastedin nenotechnology soplese kb
Posted by: bhooprakash | January 25, 2008 5:14 AM
i want nanotecg imege
Posted by: umesh | January 30, 2008 5:05 AM
Great read. Simplified, yet informative. Thanks!
Posted by: Michelle | August 8, 2008 9:01 AM