Current applications of nanotechnology in medicine and its future potential - Essay Example

Current applications of na chnology in medicine and its future potential Introduction Knowledge explosion in the field of nanotechnologies due to the pervasiveness of research in the area has led to the increased applications of nanotechnologies in the real world thereby leading to tremendous innovativeness in many industries, particularly in medicine. Nanotechnology entails the establishment and utilization of physical, chemical as well as biological systems at microscopic scales and integration of the resulting structures into larger systems. This paper will explore both the current medical applications of nanotechnology as well as the possible future applications of nanotechnology in the medicine world by integrating the literature in six key sources namely Bhushan 2010, Cleaveland 2007, Yeadon 2007, Stephen 2009, Challener 2002 and AAAS 2005. Concept of ‘Nanotechnologies’ Yeadon (2007, p.65) says ‘nanotechnology is not a very familiar term, which highlights its newness; however, Bhushan (2010 p.6) argues that in as much as nanotechnology may be a new world, it is not entirely a new field in itself. The same sentiments are echoed by Cleaveland who argues that nanotechnology has often been conceptualized as some sort of science fiction or a massive leap into the distant future. Precisely, this implies that the potential application of nanotechnologies in the real world has not been considered seriously. Nonetheless, the graph below indicates that research has intensified to make nanotechnologies applicable in the real world: Adopted from http://www.metacel.ugent.be/whatisnano.html The ‘nanoscale’ AAAS (2005 p.1) notes that there is remarkable advancements in the field of nanotechnologies targeting real life applications; Cleaveland further echoes this stance by observing that more applications of nanotechnologies that are of practical use in the real world are being discovered presently all over the world (2007 p.1). Bhushan (2010:1) and Challener (2002, p.24) seem to arrive at the same conclusion in their definition of nanotechnology as “any technology on a nanoscale’ whose applications are useful in the real world context as shown in the figure below: Adopted from http://www.nanoscale.fu-berlin.de/ Advancements in Nanotechnology This implies that nanotechnologies are increasingly finding real world utilization. Stephen (2009, p.24) conceives nanotechnology as having the potential to greatly influence many fields including the pharmaceutical industry; this is also true according to AAAS (2005), which argues that the science in the area of nanotechnologies ‘is exploding’ (p.1132). In that respect, this implies that there is massive advancements being witnessed in the field of nanotechnologies in general and there even greater potential for innovative applications of nanotechnologies both in the near and distant futures. Bhushan (2010 p.1) predicts that nanotechnology promises to impact the economy and society in general, more than even information and semiconductor technologies, or cellular and molecular biology ever did. The same position is taken by AAAS (2005 p.1132), which narrows further to particular applications and argues that “the science of extremely small materials’ is going to yield great benefits especially in cancer diagnostics, imaging, as well as treatment that would finally bring about the era of personalized medicine. Similarly, Bhushan (2010 p.1) highlights the specific areas that are set to benefit intensively from the applications of nanotechnology including materials and manufacturing, Nano-electronics, medicine, healthcare, energy, biotechnology as well as information technology and national security. Research in Nanotechnologies Bhushan (2010 p.9) highlights that science and technology continues to exploit the potential of Nano-devices and systems for numerous industrial, consumer as well as biomedical applications. From the figure below, it is clear that nanotechnologies are no longer mere subjects of science fiction as previously thought but novel ideas of practical utility in the real world today, thanks to the on-going scientific developments and research. Adapted from http://crnano.org/whatis.htm Nanotechnologies and medical diagnostics Evidently, nanotechnologies have enabled the development of various microscopic devices already in commercial use all over the world today, particularly in sensors that are used in industrial, consumer, defence as well as biomedical applications. In support of this assertion, Cleaveland (2007 p.1) highlights that antimicrobial coatings, particularly on wound dressings, to deter infections, are some of the earliest medical uses of nanotechnology in the real world. Bhushan (2010 p.9) further points out that nanotechnology is increasingly used for chemical and biochemical analyses in medical diagnostics; in the same breathe, AAAS (2005 p.1) acknowledge that great advances in diagnostics have been made possible due to developments in nanotechnology. In that respect, nanotechnologies are increasingly being utilized in medicine to identify diseased cells thereby aiding in the early detection of diseases during their initial developmental stages, which is ideal for effective treatment. For instance, nanotechnologies have greatly influenced the screening and treatment of cancer, where research has often focused on ways of enhancing early detection of cancers, which eventually facilitates successful outcomes of treatment approaches. The micro-devices used in chemical and biochemical analyses are known as biosensors, and there are two types of biosensors so far including micro/nanofluidic devices and micro/nan arrays (Bhushan 2010 p.9). Whereas the latter work on less reagent volumes in shorter reaction times and perform analyses multiple times at ago, the former perform one form of analysis thousands of times. Nanoarays are used in biotechnology research to analyse DNA or proteins to detect the presence of diseases or discover new drugs and they have the capacity to identify thousands of genes concurrently. Unlike traditional therapies, nanotechnology has the advantage of being used for more than one function; thus, despite their microscopic nature, nanoparticles are slightly larger compared to molecules and can be used to carry out multiple functions in the body (AAAS 2005 p.1134). Cleveland (2007 p.3) takes this argument further by proposing that nanotech-based diagnostic sensors can lead into the detection of multiple viruses at once; this implies that numerous diseased cells can be uncovered, leading to multiple diagnoses concurrently. Cleaveland (2007 p.3) further explores the idea of nanotech-based imaging as tagging nanoparticles that are distinct on x-ray and MRI with suitable antibodies to enable them find the necessary cells; for instance, gold nanoparticles are tagged with antibodies for the proteins prevalent on cancer cells. Similarly, AAAS points out the application of arrays of silicon-based nanowire devices to electrically determine microscopic levels of marker proteins present in cancer cells found in blood. The implication of this advancement is nanotechnologies have made possible to detect diseases early enough, which greatly facilitates treatment, an assertion that is further explored by both Cleaveland (2007 p.3) and Bhushan (2010 p.9). Nanotechnologies and biohazards The increasing global concern regarding the fatality of biological and chemical warfare has led to the exploitation of nanotechnologies in the detection of biological germs, chemical or nerve and mustard agents as well as chemical precursors specifically at airports and subways (Bhushan 2010 p.10). Cleaveland (2007 p.1) shows that orthopaedic implants are increasingly exploiting nanostructured coatings, which allow cells to dominate their surfaces thereby greatly diminishing problems with injection while enhancing fixation in bone. Similarly, dentistry is benefiting greatly from nanotechnology applications, particularly in terms of dental implants, which utilizes a technique known as Nanonite to speed up the dental implant procedure tremendously. Nanotechnologies in surgery Moreover, bioMEMS are also being considered in minimal invasive surgeries such as endoscopic surgery, angioplasty and microscopic surgery; similarly, nanotechnologies are applied in implantable drug delivery devices and in silicon capsule that have nanoporous membranes (Bhushan 2010 p.10). According to AAAS (2005 p.1134), nanotechnologists are advancing numerous particles that can be used to wipe out tumors and this process further slows down the growth of a variety of tumors as well. Targeting agents are used to direct toxic compounds to tumor cells thereby greatly reducing the collateral damage often attributable to chemotherapy. Cleaveland (2007 p.3) agrees that indeed nanoparticles can be used to deliver therapeutic agents to the surface and even within the cells themselves, apart from simply being used to detect diseased cells in the body. The future of Nanotechnologies in medical applications AAAS (2005 p.1132) argues that nanotechnology’s ability to shape matter on microscopic levels promises great revolutions in the next generation of diagnostics, imaging agents as well as drugs for detecting and treating cancer, particularly at its earliest stages. Electrical detection of cancer-specific markers using Nano-devices promises to revolutionize oncology since researchers are progressively pursuing ways of exploiting nanotechnology to spot cancer in its early stages. AAAS argues that the entire field of nanotechnology will most likely pervade almost every aspect of medicine in the future; for instance, the future of oncology depends on the ability to battle cancer at its molecular level, and this calls for nanotechnology. According to Cleaveland (2007 p.2), soft tissue repair could soon benefit from nanofiber-based self-assembling tissue scaffolding, which is thought to support the repair of destroyed spinal cord neurons, thereby enabling the paralyzed to walk again. Furthermore, nanotechnologies could soon be utilized as medical lubricants, besides their conventional use to fight infection or enhance biocompatibility. Cleaveland (2007 p.3) posits that even though nanorobotics are remotely feasibly presently and remain the subject of science fiction, research is underway to advance the use of medical nanorobotic applications in real world situations; in that respect, medical nanorobots will swim in the human body performing tasks by remote control. Conclusion Overall, an evaluation of the literature in the three articles indicates that indeed nanotechnology has greatly revolutionized the field of medicine more than information and semiconductor technologies, or cellular and molecular biology ever did. The new generation of diagnostics, imaging agents, as well as drugs not only for detecting and treating cancer at its initial stages have been made possible through the rigorous advancements in the field of nanotechnology. Furthermore, the three articles point out the numerous on-going scientific experimentations with nanotechnologies, which portents significant advancements in the future of applications of nanotechnologies in the medicine field. Generally, medical nanotechnology promises enhanced diagnostics, delivery of medicines into the body with delicate precision, as well as nanosurgery, by use of nanorobots that will be able to swim into the body to carry out tasks on remote command. References AAAS. (2005). Materials and Biology: Nanotechnology Takes Aim at Cancer. Science Vol 310: p. 1132-1134. Bhushan, B. (2010). Introduction to Nanotechnology. Challener, C. (2002). Technology watch: Nanotechnology emerges in drug delivery. Chemical Market Reporter, 262(11), FR24-FR28. Cleaveland, P. (2007). Nanotechnology: Huge Future for Small Innovation. Stephen, M. (2009). Nanotechnology: The next small thing. Canadian Plastics, 67(6), 24-25. Yeadon, P. (2007). Nanotechnology: Small but mighty. The Canadian Architect, 52(11), 65-67. Read More