Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
NMs are now found in biosensors with high sensitivity and high stability that
are easier to use, faster, and more inexpensive as compared with conventional
diagnostics methods. In addition, inexpensive instrumentation that accompanies
these NM-based biosensors is also currently being developed and is the focus
of Chapter 4. The small dimensions of NMs allow their assembly into barcodes
and high-density arrays to detect multiple analytes using miniature handheld
sensing devices that may only need light emitting diodes as power source.
NMs have also now been used for drug formulations. A few of these exam-
ples were discussed in this chapter and more on targeted drug delivery will be
discussed in Chapter 5. Drugs that are coated polymer NMs and iron oxide NMs
coated with dextran have emerged as very sensitive contrast agents for MRI.
Additionally, cancer drugs have also been loaded in NPs for ease of delivery.
More studies are underway for the specific targeting of these drugs so that the
effect on healthy cells can be minimized while focusing the unloading of the
drugs on the sick cells such as cancer cells. Other studies have also focused on
the use of NMs for eradicating viral infections, which have been one of the most
difficult challenges of the human population during the last century and into the
millennium. Several studies have also been focused on the use of NMs for the
delivery of vaccines especially those diseases that have no existing vaccines in
the market.
Thus, transforming the NMs into their water-soluble forms opened seem-
ingly endless possibilities of their applications in medicine. Such applications
go from detection to treatment of various diseases that may be molecular in
nature or may be caused by infective materials. More studies toward improv-
ing success in attachment of biomolecules on the NM surfaces or for loading
of molecules into the NMs are necessary to ensure successful incorporation
of relevant and important molecules for medical applications. The succeeding
chapters will focus more seriously on the various applications that have been
introduced and partly discussed in this chapter.
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