Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Certainly the relatively new science of quantum biology may represent such a
new strategy in elucidation of brain function where many questions remain
unanswered.
The brain is a near, but still such a distant frontier to be explored. Science is
unable to explain how mental processes such as creativity, intuition, insight,
thinking, emotions and the feeling of being alive arise from electrochemical
impulses firing along neural axons. Despite the elegance of quantum physics
and its mathematical nature, it is still di
cult to view its connection to
conscious behavior. Neuroscientists can see the activity in distinct areas of the
brain, but are at a loss to explain how these are bound together in unitary
experiences and feelings. How can a simple thought initiate such a cascade of
neural activity inside the brain? How can the nonmaterial mind influence the
material brain? Is consciousness the substrate of both, conceiving, forming and
becoming biology, so interaction happens naturally? Even if, for now, science
has more questions than answers, we should never stop questioning but instead
always use the power of our curiosity and imagination.
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7.2 Nanoneuromedicine
Advances in micro- and nano-scale technology, high-speed signal processing
and the enormous memory storage of electronic devices will enable the devel-
opment of hybrid bio-electronic systems capable of performing fundamental
studies at the molecular level. Progress in neuroscience depends on highly
sensitive investigational devices and the future of regenerative medicine may
well be decided by the potential of nanosystems and related technologies. We
already witness the integration of neurobiology with microtechnology due to
the ideal match in terms of dimensionality with the biological components
represented by living neuron cells. This has resulted in many exciting appli-
cations in neurobiology, diagnostics, drug discovery and prosthetic implant
technology, and new developments are expected in neuron-based processors for
biocomputers or implantable information processing devices for virtual reality
interfacing.
Understanding of disease at the molecular level is the cornerstone of
nanomedicine. It goes beyond a mechanistic view of the human body,
probing the fundamental biochemical, electrical and energetic properties of
living tissue through the utilization of technology at the molecular scale. The
current trend of monitoring disease biomarkers using modern bioanalytical
methods illustrates the progress in this field. Tracking biomarkers enables
swift and accurate diagnoses so that the appropriate treatment can be
implemented before the disease progresses and causes further physiological
damage. Future nanomedicine will be concerned with improving the ecacy
of current pharmaceutical therapies. 'Smart' microfluidic systems can be
used to optimize drug delivery and minimize patient discomfort, while nano-
agents are developed to allow medical treatments to traverse the blood-brain
barrier.
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