Introduction
Visionaries like Winfred Phillips, DSc, challenge us to imagine a future where we fabricate and manipulate objects at scales smaller than ever imagined (Patil et al., 2008). Nanotechnology, where Nano comes from the Greek word for dwarf, promises a new dimension to engineering and medicine as smaller objects behave differently (Patil et al., 2008). First proposed by Nobel Prize winner Laureate Richard Feynman in 1959, he envisioned machines so small they could operate at the atomic level, bringing about biomedical miracles (Patil et al., 2008). Though Feynman's vision lay dormant for years, K. Eric Drexler later reignited it in the 1980s, catalytic to a new era of molecular nanotechnology with the potential to revolutionise medicine (Patil et al., 2008).
What does Nanotechnology offer medicine?
Nanotechnology is revolutionising medicine by enabling more precise and effective treatments at molecular and cellular levels. Here is how it is making an impact:
Surgical Nanorobots - Nanorobots on a molecular scale could be programmed or guided by a human surgeon. As many pathogenic particles, such as bacteria and viruses, exist on a molecular scale, nanotechnology provides a way to tackle these pathogens on an equivalent basis (Patil et al., 2008). Furthermore, with the development of artificial intelligence, nanorobots could be used to learn how infected cells present themselves and cause cell apoptosis, tackling tumours, infections, and viruses on a cellular level.
Nanotechnology in Diagnostics - Nanoparticles enhance imaging techniques like MRI, CT, and PET scans, improving their sensitivity and accuracy by adjusting the scale at which detection takes place - this consequently makes it easier to trace changes and track cellular inconsistencies such as early detection if a tumour is benign or malignant (Malik et al., 2023). Biosensors and microfluidic devices further allow for early detection by analysing biomolecules and genetic material. Nanopore sequencing helps diagnose genetic disorders by passing DNA or RNA strands via tiny pores (nanopores) in a membrane and detecting genetic mutations or abnormalities (Malik et al., 2023).
Personalised Medicine - Nanodevices are revolutionising both in vitro (outside the body) and in vivo (within the body) diagnostics by enabling the precise detection of irregularities like tumours at the molecular level, significantly advancing personalised healthcare (Malik et al., 2023). These technologies use nanomaterials, such as paramagnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots, specially designed to interact with specific biological markers or abnormalities (Malik et al., 2023).
Nanoscale Drug Delivery - Nanoparticles can take the form of liposomes and even dendrimers (Malik et al., 2023). They can be programmed to attach to specific tissues or even cells, making drug delivery precise molecularly (Exploring the Promising Applications of Nanotechnology in Medicine | LinkedIn, n.d.). This could be particularly useful when medication has adverse side effects when applied to other cells or when the lack of that medication could pose life-threatening risks. An example would be how drug-elated stents are used in angioplasties coated with anticoagulants to provide targeted treatment; nanoscale drug delivery could refine how the medication is delivered within the body.
These are just a few of nanotechnology's many prospective innovations in medicine. Essentially, nanotechnology is pushing the boundaries of medicine by enabling more targeted, less invasive, and more personalised treatments.
What risks do Nanotechnologies pose?
Ironically, the feature that makes nanotechnologies so promising is the same feature to blame for their most considerable risk. Due to their minute size, nanoparticles are penetrable to cell membranes. Once in the bloodstream, nanoparticles can directly access vital organs such as the brain or heart ('Major Nanomaterials Use Cases in Medicine', 2021). Furthermore, their size allows for a significant surface area to mass ratio, which is risky considering the nanoparticles may come into contact with other unexpected toxins in the bloodstream and react vigorously due to the molecule's ideal surface area and penetrableness ('Major Nanomaterials Use Cases in Medicine', 2021). This could result in unwanted chemical reactions within the bloodstream, even causing clumps of nanoparticles, which could result in congestion within blood vessels, calling for more invasive procedures ('Major Nanomaterials Use Cases in Medicine', 2021).
Conclusion
Incorporating nanotechnology into healthcare signifies an impactful advancement toward a more precise and efficient approach to medicine. Using nanoscale drug delivery systems and sophisticated diagnostic tools introduces an era where treatments are customised to individual patient requirements and administered with unparalleled precision. This advancement can improve therapeutic effectiveness, reduce adverse effects, and facilitate early disease detection, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes and a more proactive healthcare system.
Bibliography:
Malik, S., Muhammad, K., & Waheed, Y. (2023). Emerging Applications of Nanotechnology in Healthcare and Medicine. Molecules, 28(18), 6624. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28186624
Exploring the Promising Applications of Nanotechnology in Medicine | LinkedIn. (n.d.). Retrieved 20 October 2024, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/exploring-promising-applications-nanotechnology-victor-agbontean/
Exploring the Promising Applications of Nanotechnology in Medicine | LinkedIn. (n.d.). Retrieved 20 October 2024, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/exploring-promising-applications-nanotechnology-victor-agbontean/
Patil, M., Mehta, D. S., & Guvva, S. (2008). Future impact of nanotechnology on medicine and dentistry. Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology, 12(2), 34. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-124X.44088
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