NANOTECHNOLOGY IN MEDICINE

Open Elective Group Assignment

Madhumita Kumar 179101019
Huda Khan 179101016
Richa Kakati 179101022
Naman Vats 1791006006
Aditya Shukla 179302175
Anish Thorat 179101007
Nanotechnology is the study of extremely small structures, having size of 0.1 to 100 nm. Nano
medicine is a relatively new field of science and technology.
Even today various disease like diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease,
cardiovascular diseases and multiple sclerosis as well as different kinds of serious inflammatory
or infectious diseases (e.g. HIV) constitute a high number of serious and complex illnesses which
are posing a major problem for the mankind. Nanomedicine is an application of nanotechnology
which works in the field of health and medicine. Nano-medicine makes use of nano materials,
and nano electronic biosensors. In the future, nano medicine will benefit molecular
nanotechnology. The medical area of nano science application has many projected benefits and is
potentially valuable for all human races.
Advantages of nanotechnology in medicine
Repairing Body Cells Becomes Easy
Nanotechnology is used in the construction of miniscule devices and robots (nanobots) capable
of entering the human body and performing a variety of operations; cell repairing one of them.
They can distinguish molecules of one type of body cell from those of another. Earlier, it was not
possible to repair body cells individually.
Non-invasive Imaging Tools
Nanotechnology not used for replacing the existing imaging methods, however, complement
them and improve their accuracy. They depict the actual processes related to diseases at a
molecular level.
Replacing Abnormal Genes
The small size of devices used in nanotechnology prove to be of great help in the replacement of
abnormal or disease-causing cells. Nanotechnology can be used for replacing abnormal genes
(responsible for diseases) with healthier or normal ones. The type of gene therapy tested is
referred to as 'RNA interference'. The RNA (ribonucleic acid) used in gene therapy does the
work of blocking proteins, which cause diseases like cancer and blindness.
Disadvantages of nanotechnology in medicine
Health effect
Elements that are microscopic poses greater threat to the human body than other elements which
are easily visible with naked eyes. Each nanoparticle have different qualities and features, thus
their effect also differ and thus might prove very dangerous to human health. Infact, many
studies say that some nanoparticles grow naturally in our bodies which also has some short and
long term health risks. So it is safe to say that if the naturally grown nanoparticles can leave
some health effects the artificially engineered nanoparticles have a great possibility of
threatening human health.
Expensive
Apart from the usual health effects one may experience from the nanoparticles, they are also very
expensive. Rather than investing in new and advanced nanotechnology application, it should first
start fixing the existing problems, like availability of medicine to the poor, easy and cost
effective diagnosis solutions. It will cater to the needs of the majority who are in need of basic
medical facilities
Security and privacy
Another disadvantage of nanotechnology in medicine is the use of nanomedicine in a malicious
way. For example, nano monitors can be injected in human bodies for monitoring whereabout
without their consent hampering their privacy. Secondly, anti- peace groups may find it easier to
target important personalities. So the big question is how we can restrict the negative use of
nanotechnology, which can cause damage rather than creating any positive effects.

Nanodiagnostics
A number of medical diagnostic techniques that are based on nanotechnology continue to emerge
in the world of research. For example, NanoFlares are nanoparticles that are designed to
specifically bind and generate a light to target cancer cells, thereby allowing for the accurate and
precise detection of method cancer cells throughout the body. NanoFlares is especially useful for
the detection of cancer cells in the blood stream.

Additional advances in nanodiagnostics involve the use of nanoparticles that will attach to cancer
tumors and release peptides that hold a high concentration of the biomarkers that typically
indicate of the very early stages of cancer. Nano sized exosomes are being used to check for
biomarkers that show pancreatic cancers. When nanoparticles are attacked to cancer tumors, they
release peptide biomarkers. Each nanoparticle will obtain many peptides therefore a high
concentration of biomarkers will be possible even at a very early stage.
By identifying cancer at these stages, even before the appearance of noticeable symptoms would
greatly increase the prognosis of cancer patients.

Nano pore sensors have been combined with artificial intelligence to detect single virus particle
identification. Researchers have also found a method to capture individual cancer cells using
Nano fibers coated with antibodies that bind to cancer cells

The use of magnetic nanoparticles combined with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
technology has also been shown to allow early diagnosis of brain cancer, as the magnetic
nanoparticles can attach to microvesicles, which are particles within the bloodstream that
originate in brain cancer cells. These are just a few of the innumerable research initiatives that
are currently taking place in the intercept of nanotechnology and medicine.

Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery

The most prominent use of nanotechnology in medicine is the use of nanoparticles to deliver
drugs to cancer cells. Particles are made in such a way that they are attracted to diseased cells
and it performs direct treatment of those cells. This reduces the damage retained by the healthy
cells in the body.
It is used actively in chemotherapy. Scientists at MIT have found two types of nanoparticles that
have shown high levels of drug delivery to tumors. The first type of nanoparticle detects the
tumor and sends out a signal, the second nanoparticles goes to the site of the signal and delivers
the chemotherapy drug. Other scientists have discovered that a disk shaped nanoparticles has
higher efficiency that a spherical shaped nanoparticle. But in the case of breast cancer cells, rod-
shaped nanoparticles are the most effective.

Nanoparticles are also used in radiotherapy of cancers. Bismuth nanoparticles have shown to
increase the radiation dose to tumors by 90%. Researchers have made good use of gold
nanoparticles that are attached to a molecule that is attracted to prostate tumor cells; this will
limit the damage to healthy cells.

Scientists have discovered a technique where DNA strands are attached to gold nanorods; The
DNA strand acts like glue holding a chemotherapy drug and the gold nanorod together. When IR
light hits the cancer tumor, the gold nanorod absorbs the IR light and turns it into heat. The heat
initiates the release of the drug being carries that destroys the cancer cells.

Another type of heat therapy is being developed to help fight against breast cancer. Antibodies
that are attracted to the proteins that are produced by cancer cells are attached to nanotubes. This
makes the nanotubes to gather in the tumor. IR light from a laser hits the area and the nanotubes
absorb this light and produce heat that incinerates the tumor.

A test for early detection of kidney damage can be done using nanotechnology. Gold nanorods
are designed to attach to the type of protein that is made by unhealthy kidneys. When the protein
collects on the nanorod, the color of the nanorod changes.

A method has been found to deliver cardiac stem cells to heart tissue that is unhealthy. Nano
vesicles that are attracted to an injury in the stem cells are attracted to the heart tissue and this
increased the amount of stem cells delivered.

Nanoparticles that have both artificial HDL and MRI contrasting agent properties are being used
to treat arterial plaque. Polymer Nano particles are also being used in this field, to reside in an
inflamed tissue like arterial plaque and dissolve to release drugs in the presence of hydrogen
peroxide.

Nano diamonds with glaucoma drugs are embedded in contact lenses. The drug is released when
the Nano diamond makes contact with tears and moisture. Nano tubes are also added to the
surface of dental implant materials, the nanotubes are filled with anti-inflammatory drugs. The
bone also attaches better to titanium dioxide nanotubes that to standard titanium implants.

Nanoparticles have been developed to release insulin when glucose levels rise in diabetic
patients. Nanoparticle has insulin and an enzyme that mixes in high levels of glucose. When this
happens, insulin is released. Another method uses a sponge like matrix, which has insulin and
Nano capsules with an enzyme. When the glucose level becomes too high, the Nano capsule
releases hydrogen ions, which bind to the fibers that form the matrix and create openings in the
matrix to release the insulin.
Researchers in the Harvard University Wyss Institute have used the biomimetic strategy in a
mouse model. Drug coated nano particles were used to dissolve blood clots by selectively
binding to the narrowed regions in the blood vessels as the platelets do. Biodegradable nano
particle aggregates were coated with tissue plasminogen activator, tPA, were injected
intravenously which bind and degrade the blood clots. Due to shear stresses in the vessel
narrowing region dissociation of the aggregates occurs and releases the tPA-coated nano
particles. The nano therapeutics can be applied greatly to reduce the bleeding, commonly found
in standard thrombosis treatment.

Nanodentistry
Some novel approaches involved in the integration between nanotechnology and dentistry have
been found in research studies investigating local anesthetics, the treatment of dentition
renaturalization and permanent hypersensitivity cure, single as well as for use in orthodontic
realignments or as dental nanorobotics.

For example, nanorobots can be utilized for specific motility mechanisms to navigate through
human tissue, alter nerve impulse traffic in individual nerve cells or as dendrifices that deliver
mouthwash or toothpaste at least once a day to metabolize any trapped organic matter that can be
the source of foul breath odors3. To control these nanorobots, an internal nanocomputer executes
preprogrammed instructions to respond to the stimuli of local neuronal sensors.

Nanorobotic devices
Nanorobotics in medicine include early diagnosis and targeted drug-delivery
for cancer,biomedical instrumentation, surgery pharmacokinetics, monitoring of diabetes, and
health care. In such plans, future medical nanotechnology is expected to employ nanorobots
injected into the patient to perform work at a cellular level. Such nanorobots intended for use in
medicine should be non-replicating, as replication would needlessly increase device complexity,
reduce reliability, and interfere with the medical mission
Another useful application of nanorobots is assisting in the repair of tissue cells alongside white
blood cells. Recruiting inflammatory cells or white blood cells (which include neutrophil
granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, and mast cells) to the affected area is the first response
of tissues to injury. Because of their small size, nanorobots could attach themselves to the
surface of recruited white cells, to squeeze their way out through the walls of blood vessels and
arrive at the injury site, where they can assist in the tissue repair process.

Nanogenerators

Doctors need dependable technology to power devices implanted in patients to regulate or

monitor the patient's health. Examples of such devices are pacemakers and continuous glucose
monitoring systems. Implant devices come with an inherent challenge: They can wear out over
time or require replacement of batteries or a cumbersome external power source.

By using nanogenerators, doctors could implant a new generation of these devices with the
capacity to stay powered and last a long time with minimal body invasion. Such devices would
harness the energy of involuntary movement like a heartbeat or lung expansion. In short, you
could be using your body to keep alive a device that helps keep you alive in return. In addition,
by using non-toxic materials like ZnO as the piezoelectric material, there is a better chance of
implanting a nanogenerator without harming the body. A side benefit of using nanogenerators is
their potential positive impact on the environment. Nanogenerators use a renewable resource:
kinetic energy from body movement. They're created from more environmentally friendly
materials than batteries, and they have the potential to reduce the waste associated with battery
production and disposal. Still, the impact is small, literally, due to the size and limited power of
nanogenerators

Tissue engineering
In tissue engineering, nanotechnology can be applied to reproduce or repair damaged tissues. By
using suitable nanomaterial-based scaffolds and growth factors, artificially stimulated cell
proliferation, in organ transplants or artificial implants therapy nanotechnology can be useful,
which can lead to life extension.
Antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic resistance can be decreased by use of nanoparticles in combination therapy. Zinc
Oxide nanoparticles can decrease the antibiotic resistance and enhance the antibacterial activity
of Ciprofloxacin against microorganism, by interfering with various proteins that are interacting
in the antibiotic resistance or pharmacologic mechanisms of drugs.
Immune response
The Nano device Bucky balls have been used to alter the allergy/ immune response. They
prevent mast cells from releasing histamine into the blood and tissues, as these bind to free
radicals better than any anti-oxidant available, such as vitamin E.

Conclusion
Thus, it is concluded that, nanotechnology or systems / device manufacture at the molecular
level, is a multidisciplinary scientific field undergoing explosive development. The genesis of
nanotechnology can be traced to the promise of revolutionary advances across medicine.

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