Nanoscience and Health Research

The role of nanotechnology in:

• Fighting disease causing organisms.

• Developing medical devices.

• Faster diagnoses.

Why use nanotechnology?

• Identify and fight microscopic organisms.

• 3 main types of pathogens.

Fungus

•Fungus cell = 0.005 to 0.05 mm.

Bacteria

• Bacterium = 0.2 – 2.0 µm in diameter.

• 25 times smaller than fungi.

• Bacteria can be destroyed with antibiotics.

Virus

• Range in size from 20 to 250 nm.

• 10 times smaller than bacteria.

• 250 times smaller than fungi.

How are pathogens detected?

• Grow on petri dishes.

• Test the response of the specimen to various antibiotics and anti-fungicides.

Problem: diagnoses takes time

• Some pathogens may take minutes to grow, others may take hours.

• Need a small scale petri dish where even the smallest pathogenic growth can be registered very quickly.

A possible nano solution

• Use of cantilevers a few hundred nm thin.

• In this system, micro-organisms are detected with nano-devices.

Using cantilevers to detect pathogens

• Cantilever vibrates.

• As micro-organisms grow the frequency of vibration changes.

• Extremely sensitive and quick detection.

Other nano-diagnostic tools

• Mini portable laboratory.

• One drop of blood could be instantly tested for a whole array of diseases and conditions.

Benefits of the lab on a chip

• Quicker diagnostics.

• Greater control over analysis.

• Less waste.

• Small devices allow samples to be analysed at the point of need rather than a laboratory.

• Uses in other areas:

industrial applications and environmental monitoring.

Portable lab chips

• Chips could be injected into the bloodstream.

• Travel to diseased cells.

• Diagnose.

• Deliver medication.

Nanotechnology and cancer treatment

• Chemotherapy not specific.

• Nano drug delivery can directly target tumours.

Magnetic nanoparticles

• Some nanoparticles become magnetic in the presence of a magnetic field.

• Nanoparticles target cells- magnetic field makes them vibrate, heat up and destroy cancer cell.

– Clinical trials already happening!

• MRI imaging for faster diagnoses.

Nanoparticle drug delivery

• Enzymes bound to carbon nanotubes or particles.

• One enzyme (key) fits one substrate (lock).

• Particles can contain medication which would release when the enzyme reaches its specific target.

Nanotechnology and stents

• Stents widen damaged arteries.

• Research is being conducted into the use of a stent manufactured from extremely light, yet extremely strong nanomaterials.

Nanotechnology and heart disease

• Nanopatch can bring dead heart tissue back to life.

• Carbon nanofibres are excellent conductors of electrons.

• Keeps heart beating steadily.

Nanotechnology and tissue growth

• Improved tissue grafts.

• Promote vascular growth.

• Faster healing.

• Healthy skin invades wounded area.

• Reduce the need for surgeries. A tissue scaffold with visible pores.

Clockwise, schematic diagrams showing cross-sections of micro-structured tissue

templates.

Nanotechnology and preventing infection

•Silver nanoparticles in paint.

•Combating pathogens.

Nanotechnology- potential health risks

• Where do particles go?

– Do they stay in cells/blood stream?

• Are workers safe manufacturing them?

• Where do we dispose of them?

– Environment issues

Summary

• Role of nanotechnology in healthcare.

• Advances in healthcare from nanotechnology.

• Future directions for nanotechnology.