Medical Applications
Restoring Vision
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The retina is a "thin layer of neural cells that lines the back of the eyeball" and is an important part of the central nervous system and is vital for vision. During the aging process, this part of the eye becomes weaker and weaker. In a research funded by Israel Ministry of Science and other councils, scientists have found that a new nanodevice could be a solution to "retinal degeneration" and also help treat a number of other eye diseases. (1, 2)
This new device is a film that is "wireless, light-sensitive, and flexible" and is capable of replacing an old, impaired retina; it can also respond to light successfully. The film is made of carbon nanotube and nanorod. Scientists have not yet fully created this film but they are sure that this will affect neurons so they can process light. Comparing this to old technology made of silicon, which required complex wire systems, this is a "groundbreaking" invention. This nanorod nanotube film will help people who suffer from "retial degenration". (2)
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To access more information about this research, CLICK HERE.
(Citations: 1, 2, Image 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
"Nano Gets Personal With Cancer"
Listen to Dr. Anna Barker, from National Cancer Institute, talking about the impacts of Nanotechnology on cancer!
"Anna Barker, Ph.D., Former Deputy Director, NCI and Former Director, NCI Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives (CSSI)
In this podcast, Dr. Anna Barker provides an update on where cancer nanotechnology is today and how far it has come since the launch of the Alliance in 2005." (6)
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Nano can help breast cancer patients; click here to learn more (Image 9)
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When some of a body's cells start to divide uncontrollably without dying, a deadly disease called cancer develops. Cancers, if left untreated, can develop into tumors, which then start to affect organs closeby. The most common treatment called chemotherapy, causes pain, fatigue, nausea, anemia, fertility side effects in both men and women, hair loss and many other horrible side effects. (3, 4)
The processes that lead to cancer, all happen at the nanoscale. "Nanotechnology provides researchers with the opportunity to study and manipulate macromolecules in real time and during the earliest stages of cancer progressing." This includes detecting "cancer-related molecules" when they are present at a small level. This early detection is the key to develop effective treatments for individual patients on time. (4)
The following are examples of how nanotechnology helps fight cancer!
Nanocarriers:
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prevent drugs from being deteriorated before they reach the target
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avoid contact with healthy cells
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"enhance the absorption of drugs into tumors
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allow control of the "timing and distribution of drugs to the tissue"
Passive Targeting:
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nanoparticles can move to the tissues from the blood vessels
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nanoparticles can easily flow into the "leaky" blood vessels in order to deliver the appropriate drug
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this helps "reduce side effects" and protect healthy cells
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Active Targeting:
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helps the cell absorb the drug efficiently
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"bringing drugs into the cancerous cell"
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when combined with passive targeting, damage to healthy tissue can be reduced even more
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reduces the amount of drug used
Destruction:
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nanoshells can destroy cancerous cells directly using heat
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magnetic nanoparticles may help kill cancer cells as well
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helps ceate "an intense heat" in the tumor
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Diabetes
When the pancreas in a body is not able to produce much insulin, one has to "inject" himself/herself to meet the needs of glucose in the body. This method works well with some patients but "the problem is people don't always get the right amount of it", which can be a huge problem. (7)
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Universities such as University of California, San Francisco and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing new methods of accumulating nanotechnology to solve diabetes. The video above presents information about two nanodevices that can prove to be crucial to diabetic patients.
The MIT team is currently studying "injectable gel-like structure" that contains nanoparticles. The nanoparticles additionally have an enzyme that will help release insulin indirectly. The team found that in a mice with Type 1 diabetes, "a single injection of the gel maintained normal blood-sugar levels for an average of 10 days." With this evidence in hand, nanotechnology promises a bright future in finding better ways to treat diabetes! (7)
(Citations: 7 Image 11, 12, 13. Video 2, 3)