Nanotechnology in Medicine

Applications of nanotechnology in medicine currently being developed involve employing nano-particles to deliver drugs, heat, light or other substances to specific cells in the human body. Engineering particles to be used in this way allows detection and/or treatment of diseases or injuries within the targeted cells, thereby minimizing the damage to healthy cells in the body.

The longer range future of nanotechnology in medicine is referred to as nanomedicine. This involves the use of manufactured nano-robots to make repairs at the cellular level.

Nanotechnology in Medicine: Company DirectoryCompany Product
1.CytImmune: Gold nanoparticles for targeted delivery of drugs to tumors

2.Nucryst: Antimicrobial wound dressings using silver nanocrystals

3.Nanobiotix: Nanoparticles that target tumor cells, when irradiated by xrays nanoparticles generate electrons which cause localized destruction of the tumor cel ls.

4.Oxonica: Disease identification using gold nanoparticles (biomarkers)

5.Nanotherapeutics: Nanoparticles for improving the performance of drug delivery by oral, inhaled or nasal methods

6.NanoBio: Nanoemulsions for nasal delivery to fight viruses (such as the flu and colds) and bacteria

7.BioDelivery: Sciences Oral drug delivery of drugs encapuslated in a nanocrystalline structure called a cochleate

8.NanoBioMagnetics: Magnetically responsive nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery and other applications

8.Z-Medica: Medical gauze containing aluminosilicate nanoparticles which help bood clot faster in open wounds.

Nanotechnology is used to create ultra-small polymer particles capable of carrying the drugs into the body. The scientists say the development of the combination drug makes it possible to create a precise feedback system that can safely regulate release of the drugs aboard the nanoparticles

Using human plasma in laboratory tests, one ‘pro drug’ was successfully identified as being able to sense oxygen blood levels and turned on or off as needed.

“When respiratory distress is too severe, that will trigger release of Naloxone, the antagonist (morphine-suppressing) drug. When the oxygen blood levels go up, that will stop the action of the antagonist drug and more morphine will be available,” says Baohua Huang, Ph.D., the study’s first author and a research investigator at the Michigan Nanotechnology Institute and in Internal Medicine.

MNIMBS scientists are conducting further extensive studies before testing on humans proceeds.