Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
been previously well investigated in the imaging setting and are candidate
nanoplatforms for building up nanoparticle-based theranostics [175].
Nanoparticles (NPs) are small in size with large surface areas, having
unique properties and applications distinct from those of bulk systems.
When exposed to biological l uid, NPs may become coated with proteins
and other biomolecules due to their dynamic nature. h e protein i bril-
lation utilizing the NPs as nucleation centers may be possible. Protein
i brillation is reported in many fatal neurodegenerative diseases. h e
protein-NP interaction brings about many key issues and concerns with
respect to the potential risks to human health and the environment. h e
ef ects of NPs and semiconductor quantum dots in the process of pro-
tein i bril formation using human serum albumin (HAS) suggested that
an increased rate of i brillation occurs, which opens up an understanding
and possibility of controlling biological self-assembly processes for use in
nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine [176]. Nanomedicine is an inter-
disciplinary i eld, still in its infancy, where an accurate scientii c assess-
ment of potential risks and benei ts is needed. h ere is increasing interest
in improving our understanding of the interactions between nanomateri-
als and living systems, with regard to both the underlying chemistry and
the physics of ef ects on the nanoscale. Imaging and therapeutic compo-
nents, including metallic radioisotopes, semiconductor quantum dots and
magnetic materials, may be used to construct nanocarriers (by encapsula-
tion or conjugation) by rapid and simple (covalent and supramolecular)
chemistry. h e biomedical functions of the resulting materials are as yet
largely unexplored. Encapsulation in nanocarriers could achieve delivery
of the reagents (imaging and therapeutic drugs) to the sites of action in
the body, while minimizing systemic toxicity and enzymatic degradation.
h ese functional systems have the potential to become a general solution
in drug delivery [177].
It is important to search for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches
for glioblastoma, the most malignant brain tumor. Application of super-
paramagnetic nanoparticles of iron oxide, as well as monoclonal anti-
bodies, of immunophenotypic signii cance, were conjoined to quantum
dots for the ultrastructural assessment of glioblastoma cells. h e process
of tumor cell labeling using nanoparticles can successfully contribute to
the identii cation of tumorigenic cells, and consequently, a better under-
standing of glioblastoma genesis and recurrence. In addition, this method
may help further studies in tumor imaging, diagnosis, and prognostic
markers detection [178]. h e NH
2
functionalized CdSe/ZnS quantum dot
(QD)-doped SiO
2
nanoparticles (NPs) with both imaging and gene car-
rier show that QD-doped SiO
2
NPs are internalized by primary cortical
