Nanomedicine - Medicine of the future Medical application of nanotechnology Nanotechnology: the study of the control of matter at the atomic/molecular level All substances (including you and me) are made up of atoms If we learn to control those atoms we will control the substances. Nanotech deals with substances that are 100 nm or smaller DNA diameter: 2 nm Smallest bacteria: 200 nm The comparable size of 1 nm to 1 m is Nanomedicine has the potential to deliver Advanced drug delivery systems New therapies In vivo imaging neuro-electronic interfaces (biosensors)$ Perhaps even.cell repair machines ~4 billion dollars are currently being invested in research and development of nanomedicine Sales of 7 bill. In 2004 200 companies 130 drug delivery systems are under development Medical Uses 1. Drug delivery Nanoscale particles could improve the availability of the drug to cells that most need it Targeting is a huge issue: $65 billion are lost each year due to poor targeting Nanoparticles are easily taken up by cells because of their size Could allow for lower doses that are much more effective because of targeting Less toxic (less side effects) Less costly 2. In vivo imaging Nanodyes provide better contrast for MRI/ultrasound Ex. quantum dots (give off light when excited by waves) localize to cancer tumors (tumor cells do not have good lymphatic drainage) and allow for much better imaging Toxic! Could THEY be used to treat tumors???? 3. Surgery applications Since quantum dots localize to cancer cells would allow much better removal of dangerous tissues. Photodynamic therapy: metal nanotubes localized to cancer cells could melt them when heated using a light source. Noninvasive Not toxic to other tissues, like chemotherapy Flesh welders: fix cuts by weldingthem together, ex. arteries 4. nanorobots Nanosize machines that could be activated by light to do things inside our bodies ex. fullerine