Nanoscience in Healthcare

Prevention Treatment Prosthetics

By Jeanne Nye, Andrew Greenberg, Ph.D. and Angela Jones, Ph.D.

Nanoscience

From cancer to the common cold, from broken bones to sunburn, from cavities to heart disease

How can small science

help us fight big medical problems?

What is nanotechnology?

A description - • Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at

dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers, or nanoscale.

• Unusual physical, chemical, and biological properties can emerge in materials at the nanoscale. These properties may differ in important ways from the properties of bulk materials and single atoms or molecules.

• Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering, and technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at this length scale.

Resource: www.nano.gov

Note: This slide and the next 9 slides are the same for all research areas.

Created in 2008 by Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY, www.sciencenter.orgAccompanying book available for purchase at www.lulu.com

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Agreement No. ESI-0532536. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Macrosizemeters, decimeters, centimeters, millimeters

Microsizemicrometers

Nanosizenanometers

Child

A child is about 1 meter tall1 meter = 1,000,000,000 nm

(1 billion nanometers)

Hand

A hand is about 1 decimeter wide1 decimeter = 100,000,000 nm

(100 million nanometers)

Pink y Finger

A pinky finger is about 1 centimeter wide

1 centimeter = 10,000,000 nm(10 million nanometers)

Freck le

A freckle is about 1 millimeter wide1 millimeter = 1,000,000 nm

(1 million nanometers)

St rand o f Hai r

A hair is about one tenth of a millimeter wide

0.1 millimeter = 100,000 nm(100 thousand nanometers)

Red Blood Cell

A red blood cell is about 10 micrometers wide

10 micrometers = 10,000 nm(10 thousand nanometers)

Bac ter ia

A bacterium is about 1 micrometer wide

1 micrometer = 1,000 nm(1 thousand nanometers)

Virus

A viron is about one tenth of a micrometer wide

0.1 micrometer = 100 nm(1 hundred nanometers)

Cell Membrane

A cell membrane is about 10 nanometers wide

10 nanometers = 10 nm

Sugar Molecule

A sugar molecule is about 1 nanometer wide

1 nanometer = 1 nm

Atom

An atom is about one tenth of a nanometer wide

0.1 nanometer = 0.1 nm

100 10-1 10-2 10-3 10-4

10-5 10-6 10-7 10-8 10-9 10-10

How BIG is nano?

Nanoscale

1 nanometer = 1 billionth (10-9) of a

meter

D 109 D

a marble

Why do we care?

• Quantum mechanics plays a much more important role

• For example, – A brick of gold is shiny and

“gold”-colored. – A vial of gold nanoparticles in

solution can be a range of colors depending on the size of the nanoparticles.

– This is because of a phenomenon know as quantum confinement. Suspensions of discrete (separated)

gold nanoparticles in clear solution vary in color from pink to purple as the nanoparticle size gets bigger. Image source: “Causes of Color”, WebExhibits, http://www.webexhibits.org/causesofcolor/9.html

Things behave differently at this scale

Why else do we care?

• Human cells and bacteria have diameters around 1-10 micrometers

BUT • Cellular machinery is on the

nanoscale – Diameter of DNA is ~2

nanometers – Hemoglobin, the protein that

carries oxygen through the body, is 5.5 nanometers in diameter

This is the scale of biological processes

Structure of hemoglobin PDB ID: 1BUW

Structure of DNA PDB ID: 1BNA

One more reason: surface area Another reason nanomaterials behave differently from bulk materials of the same chemical is because of surface area – or the area of an object

that is an exposed surface.

Volume (in cubic meters):

Surface Area (in square meters):

For this cube, each edge is 1 meter in length.

1 m

For these cubes, each edge is 0.1 meters in length, but there are 1000 cubes.

1 m

1 m

1m X 1m X 1m = 1 m3 (0.1m X 0.1m X 0.1m) X 1000 cubes = 1 m3

(1m X 1m) X 6 sides = 6 m2 (0.1m X 0.1m) X 6 sides X 1000 cubes = 60 m2

Surface Area and Reactions • This increased surface area allows chemical reactions to

go much faster. • Think about it this way: Which dissolves faster in your coffee or tea, a sugar

cube or a teaspoon of granulated sugar?

Answer: Granulated sugar

Nano-enabled Consumer Products

As of the March 10, 2011, there are over 1300 consumer products around the world that are manufacturer-identified as nanotechnology-based. These products are here, ready to buy today!

• Touch screens (iPhone) • Sunscreens • Cosmetics • Tennis rackets

• Bicycles • Fabric • Computer memory • Many more…

Resources: The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies website: http://www.nanotechproject.org/

Activity Description

• You have been assigned an area of nanotechnology research to support.

• Go through this presentation and any other credible sources to identify three benefits of research in nanotechnology toward your area of interest and up to three potential risks you perceive in your area of interest.

• As a group, we will weigh the risks and benefits of each area to decide how much of our federal nanotechnology budget should go to each research area.

Disclaimer: this is a contrived scenario

• There are no federal nanotechnology budget cuts – $1.7 billion estimated for FY2012 (fiscal year 2012) – Increased investment proposed for FY2013 (nearly $1.8 billion)

• Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council's Committee on Technology is an actual government entity – Composed of representatives from 25 federal agencies (NIH, DOE, DOD, etc.) – Purpose is to coordinate planning, budgeting, and implementation of the

National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) – These representatives work together to create an integrated federal program.

• Actual nano “budget” is different from what is proposed in this activity – Actual “budget” is given as a supplement to the President’s 2013 Budget

Request submitted to Congress – It represents the sum of the investment in nanotechnology and nanoscience

planned for 2013 by federal agencies – The agencies submit how much they are planning to spend on nanoscience – In the activity scenario, we’re doing the opposite of what the actual NNI

Budget represents in that we’re distributing a pre-determined amount amongst these research areas.

Resources: NNI Budget website: http://www.nano.gov/about-nni/what/funding

Healthcare and Medicine

In this presentation, you will learn about some of the developments in nanotechnology

in healthcare and medicine

Consider the following when learning about these developments:

1. Might these nanotechnology developments infringe on human rights to privacy and freedom?

2. Is it safe for me? Is it safe for others? 3. Could the use of this nanotechnology

development have unwanted and negative environmental effects?

4. What economic impact could the use of this nanotechnology development have on producers, consumers, and other industries? Might they be negative or positive?

What About Your Rights?

If so, are these developments more important than

• Your privacy? • Your rights as a citizen? • Your rights as a human

being?

Are the answers somewhere in between?

Image source: http://www.info4security.com/Pictures/web/w/v/m/iStock_Law.jpg

Links to outside sources

Within this presentation will be many underlined words. If you click on the underlined text, your browser will take you to other websites, videos, or other resources to learn more about what is on the slide.

These links are chosen to give you additional information, but these presentations can stand alone. It is unnecessary to go to the links for the purpose of this activity.

We try to make sure the links are active, but given the ever-changing nature of the internet, you might find a few that take you to a location that is no longer active. Please let the facilitator know if you find an inactive link.

Goals of Nanotechnology in Healthcare

With the use of nanotechnology, scientists hope to prevent illness, more quickly diagnose, control disease and treat disease with fewer side effects, and create better medical aids such as more compatible prosthetics. Nanoparticles and surfaces made of nanostructures are used in many areas of healthcare research. You’ll read about some of these on the following pages.

Resource: http://www.nanotruck.de/en/

Prevention Applications of Nanotechnology in Healthcare

1. Better tools for prevention Nanoscopes and nanotweezers Novel membranes for cleaning blood Miniaturized probes for recognizing

disease 2. Nano-dots that trace disease 3. Improved detection through medical

imaging MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

with better contrast agents CAT (Computerized Axial

Tomography) scans Resources: [1] Bullis, K., “Cell-Like Nano Particles for Attacking Disease,” Technology Review,

http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17578&ch=nanotech [2] NASA Science News, “ Voyage of the Nano-surgeons,,” http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/15jan_nano.htm [3] “Nanotweezers Help Understand Actions of Chemotherapy Agent, “MedGadget,

http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2007/08/nanotweezers_help_understand_actions_of_chemotherapy_agent.html

Tiny capsules much smaller than these blood cells may someday be injected into people's bloodstreams to treat conditions ranging from cancer to radiation damage. [2] Copyright 1999, Daniel Higgins, University of Illinois

at Chicago.

Specific applications for nanotechnology in medicine include these developments:

Nanotechnology Treatment Applications in Healthcare

4. Innovative medicines and drug delivery for detection and treatment Cancer medicines that only

target cancer cells Antimicrobials (germs)

5. Implants and orthopedics (having to do with your bones) that are more compatible and that last longer

High-magnification scanning electron microscopy shows (center of micrograph) the leg of an osteoblast

(bone precursor), called a cytoplasmic extension, attaching to nano-sized hydroxyapatite crystals, similar to those in natural bone, that make up a CPC implant.

Credit: NIST

Resources [1] National Cancer Institute Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer, http://nano.cancer.gov/ [2] Newman, M., “Layered Approach May Yield Stronger, More Successful Bone Implants,” NIST,

http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/techbeat/tb2007_0816.htm

1. Nanoscience and Prevention

Imagine having a check-up without even leaving home. That may be

possible with nanoscience and hand-held equipment.

Nanoscience can potentially help us detect and treat cancer at the molecular level. [1]

Nanotechnologies will most likely allow us to rapidly sequence DNA (nanosequencing). Doctors could know right away if you have a genetic tendency for a disease or a drug interaction. [2]

Resources [1] National Cancer Institute Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer, http://nano.cancer.gov/ [2] Stein, R, “Next-Generation Sequencing Update,” Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News. http://www.genengnews.com/gen-articles/next-generation-

sequencing-update/2584/

1. Nanoscience and Prevention

Gold nanoparticles in toothpaste is more effective in preventing plaque formation, cavities and gingivitis. [1]

Nanotechnologies will be used for improving human performance, too. [2]

Nano-Gold Toothpaste, Credit: Lexon Nanotech, Inc.

Resources [1] Nanorama, http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/consumer/browse/products/nanorama_gold_toothpaste/ [2] Miller, C. “Nanotechnology for Human Performance: What Does the Public Think?”

http://www.nisenet.org/blogs/real_world_nano/nanotechnology_human_enhancement_what_does_public_think

Microscopes, My How They’ve Changed!

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) (which can move single atoms around) is being used to create smaller devices for use in diagnostics and drug discovery. AFMs can also be used to create surfaces using nanotechnology which will be more biocompatible than previous materials.

Resources [1] Atomic Force Microscopy, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_force_microscopy [2] Atomic Force Microscope, NISE Net, http://www.nisenet.org/node/3449

Atomic Force Microscope measuring a sample. Credit: NISE Net.

Nano-Tweezers

New nano-tweezers can guide themselves to pick up and move individual cells without damaging them. They can be attached to a microscope and be programmed to function without human control.

Resources [1] Inman, M, “Tiny robotic hand has the gentlest touch,” New Scientist. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13725-tiny-robotic-hand-has-the-gentlest-touch.html?feedId=online-news_rss20

[2] Kim, K., et al. "Nanonewton Force-Controlled Manipulation of Biological Cells Using a Monolithic Mems Microgripper with Two-Axis Force Feedback." Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering 18.5 (2008).

This robotic pair of fingers can grasp tiny objects delicately with its own sense of touch. [1] Image Credit: Yu Sun (ref. 2)

Nanotechnology Detects Salmonella

Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a novel way of

detecting food-borne bacteria faster using

nanorod-based sensors.

Recent outbreaks in Salmonella have consumers

demanding quicker detection of food-borne

pathogens.

Resources [1] Berger, M., “A nanotechnology biosensor for Salmonella detection ,” Nanowerk, http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=4963.php [2] Fu, J., et al. "An Au/Si Hetero-Nanorod-Based Biosensor for Salmonella Detection." Nanotechnology 19.15 (2008): 7.

Color-enhanced scanning electron micrograph showing Salmonella typhimurium (red) invading

cultured human cells. Credit: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH

Food Storage and Nanoscience

Maybe you already have one of these new storage containers that use nanotechnology

Kinect sells food storage containers that contain silver nanoparticles, which are antimicrobial, to

keep foods fresher longer.

Resources: Kinect Go Green Premium Food Storage webpage - http://www.kinetic-cookware.com/product.asp?cat=59&subcat=113

2. Diagnosis, Treatment and Control with Nanoscience

Patient illnesses will be diagnosed and monitored more

rapidly with lab-on-chip devices thanks to nanotechnology.

Better Medications

Medicines made with nanoparticles have great

advantages: Nanoparticles can improve

their solubility. Medicines usually need to be water-soluble.

They can increase the drug's resistance to stomach acid and enzymes which will allow better uptake from the small intestine.

Nanotechnology will provide controlled release, possibly over days rather than minutes or hours.

Resource: International Strategy and Foresight Report on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Final Report 19th March 2004

The cholera bacteria in this scanning electron microscope image cause a potentially fatal disease of the digestive system.

Credit: Dartmouth Electron Microscope Facility via NISE Net

Better Drug Delivery

Researchers at University of

California Santa Barbara are using

nanotechnology for drug delivery. Read

more here. Polymer nanoparticles attach to red blood cells and remain in circulation for prolonged times. Unattached nanoparticles

are rapidly cleared by body's immune system. Image Credit: Mr. Peter Allen, UCSB. Society for

Experimental Biology and Medicine via EurekAlert!

Nanotech Approach to Heart Disease

• Nanoscience is building delivery devices that carry medicines and nanodevices to where dangerous plaque is located.

• Scientists are also designing self-assembling molecular nano-stents, devices used to physically support arteries, and

• Nanotechnology has also linked human proteins to nano-devices to sense and respond to vulnerable plaque.

Resource: [1] Burnham Institute Named a Program of Excellence in Nanotechnology by NIH; Awarded $13 M to Mount Nano-Attack on Atherosclerotic Plaque, http://www.sanfordburnham.org/news__events/news_archive/2005/june_13_2005.aspx

Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque can cause a heart attack. The Burnham Institute Program of Excellence in Nanotechnology will design nano-devices to deliver

drugs, or even synthesize a nano-stent, to stabilize plaque. Such devices can be coupled to nano-radios

for external communication with physicians. [1] Image source: MedGadget

Nano-Nerve Fibers

Nanosized molecules can self-assemble into hollow, cylindrical nanofibers inside the bodies of mice. These nanofibers then act as a scaffold by trapping cells, which help nerve fibers grow. The surface of the nanofibers also inhibits scar tissue from forming which would block the nerve fibers and prevent their growth.

Resource: [1] Nanotechnology Used to Enhance Regeneration of Nerve Cells, http://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=4134 [2] Cohn, A., “Striking a Nerve,” Innovations: Research & News from Berkeley Engineering, http://innovations.coe.berkeley.edu/vol2-issue6-

june08/strikinganerve

Nanosilver

Silver is amazing. It has been used to fight infections and control spoilage since at least the times of ancient Greece and Rome! As nanoparticles it can be used as a wound dressing, like bandages, antimicrobial ointments and cleaners. Silver must come in contact with the cut or burn to work effectively. Silver kills bacteria by blocking their metabolism in a way that makes it difficult for bacteria to become resistant to silver. There are many examples of how we already use nanosilver products at http://bit.ly/jQWDED. There are some concerns about its environmental and health safety. The EPA has released a report on the “State of Science” in understanding the impact of nanosilver: http://www.epa.gov/nanoscience/files/NanoPaper1.pdf

Resource: [1] United Press International, “Nano silver fights infections,” http://www.physorg.com/news5536.html

More Wound Care at the Nanoscale

A gecko-inspired medical adhesive may someday seal wounds and replace sutures or staples. Modeled after the feet of a gecko, it has extra sticking power. Someday these adhesives may also deliver medicines or growth factors to promote healing.

Nanoscale features molded into the surface of the adhesive bandage help it bond extremely well. Similar features on the feet of geckos allow the lizards to walk on walls and ceilings. Image courtesy of PNAS/National Academy of

Sciences (copyright 2008) via Science Friday.

Resources: [1] Dougherty, E., “MIT creates gecko-inspired bandage,” MIT News, http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/adhesive-0218.html [2] Mahdavi, A., et al. "A Biodegradable and Biocompatible Gecko-Inspired Tissue Adhesive." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United

States of America 105.7 (2008): 2307-12.

3. Nanotechnology and the disabled

The Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State University released a report that outlines ways nanotechnology will help the disabled (linked here) [1]. A few excerpts follow: • Molecular prosthetics – nano

components that can repair or replace defective cellular components

• Retinal implants and cochlear devices • Bionic implants such as artificial joints,

muscles, noses, tongues, kidney, liver, lungs… and the list goes on.

Resource: [1] Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State University website, http://cns.asu.edu/ [2] Lewis, R.,” Brown researchers work toward ending cartilage loss,” Brown University News, http://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2008/06/cartilage08jun [3] Khang, D., G. E. Park, and T. J. Webster. "Enhanced Chondrocyte Densities on Carbon Nanotube Composites: The Combined Role of Nanosurface

Roughness and Electrical Stimulation." Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A 86A.1 (2008): 253-60.

A scanning electron microscope image shows a carbon nanotube/polymer composite surface

that grows cartilage. Scale bar = 500 nm. Credit: Dongwoo Khang, Thomas

Webster/Brown University via ref. 2.

Research by Brown University engineering professor, Thomas Webster, showed how a surface of carbon nanotubes combined with

electrical pulses could help regenerate cartilage naturally in the body [2,3].

Nanosurfaces

Besides improving the compatibility and longevity of devices and implants, nanostructured surfaces (nanotopography) can get cells to attach and even direct the cells to grow into certain shapes, like those nerve fibers mentioned earlier.

Resource: [1] “Stem Cells Shape Up to Their Surroundings,” Science Daily, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101007123117.htm

This scanning electron microscope image shows a hydrogel scaffold grown for studying brain tissue

engineering and nerve regeneration. Image Credit: D Nisbet, Monash University via NISE

Net

Healthcare Websites

These are websites will provide more information on nanotechnology in healthcare. The general website page linked at the bottom of this page is full of nanotechnology sites related to multiple areas including yours. National Cancer Institute Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer,

http://nano.cancer.gov/ Nanotechnology at the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and

Bioengineering http://www.nibib.nih.gov/Research/NIHNano Nanotechnology at the National Institutes of Health

http://www.nih.gov/science/nanotechnology/ Northwestern University website on applications of nanotechnology in medicine

http://www.discovernano.northwestern.edu/affect/applications_content/medicine

http://nanopedia.case.edu/NWPage.php?page=nanomedicine Article that describes some of the health concerns of nanoparticles usage

http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=1820.php EPA regulates Nano-silver

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/intheworks/nanotechnology.htm

General Nanoscience Website Links

Image source: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/0,28757,1633488,00.html

Nano-enabled consumer products

To learn more about nano-enabled consumer products in all areas of research visit the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies • Established in April 2005 as a partnership between the Woodrow

Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Pew Charitable Trusts

• “The Project is dedicated to helping ensure that as nanotechnologies advance, possible risks are minimized, public and consumer engagement remains strong, and the potential benefits of these new technologies are realized.”

• Their website includes news and publications about issues with nanotechnology.

• It also includes inventories of consumer products that are manufacturer-identified as nanotechnology based, and as of the March 10, 2011 update, there are over 1300 products around the world.

Resources: The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies website: http://www.nanotechproject.org/

More on the website

If time allows, return to the main website and watch some of the videos that provide “expert testimony” in the area of nanotechnology in

healthcare and medicine. Click here