Nanotechnology & your health

Nanotechnology is a nice buzzword to help get funding for research which might otherwise have been called "materials science" or "molecular biology."

Welcome to the Family!

Welcome to scienceblogs!!!

Hi,

This is the first time I am hearing of Nanotechnology, has there been predictions of science fiction with nanotechnology?

Thanks

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.

have you received

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.

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

How can i obtain my Ph.D degree on nanotechnology.

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

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

Dear Me,
Thank you for your comment

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.

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

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.

You know that is how everything else with science got started! Exspirementing with the

i am student of bsc.and i am intrastedin nenotechnology soplese kb

i want nanotecg imege

Great read. Simplified, yet informative. Thanks!

Exciting prospect for all scientific minds.Now can I just change my molecular structure by nanotechnology either become invisible or be like Gods clone!

i'm an advanced level studenti want to give a speech about nanotechnology

He said: "I felt I'd test my hypothesis and I did that by getting my cat certified by a number of the most prominent lay hypnosis organisations in the United States. It was a frighteningly simple process.

Sir kindly send the information
the data detailly on preparation techniques of ferrites.

Good day,
I've been thinking about nano's and their ablities for a while now, but i do want to know how these nanos are made and controled. and who discoverd or invented such an amazing thing like this?

Hi,
Are not all living kinds is of nanotechnology? If so why there is a large number of objections since 1980s? What good or bad this technology goes to make to the human kind?

how does dis nanotechnology is helping in destroying d cancerous cells without afecting d near by cells ?? how is it possible..... can i know d things in detail

Hi,there.It's great to hear about Nanotechnology.

Hi neha
It is a new one. The lotus leaf is the best example of nanotechnology.