Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
(A)
(B)
Low, systematic toxicity
50 nm
50 nm
FIGURE 21.2
After encapsulation into the silica nanorattle, the antitumor drug
docetaxel had increased therapy efficacy and decreased systematic
toxicity for liver cancer therapy: (A) free drug and (B) drug-loaded
silica nanorattle.
Tang Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences [7] .
an analyte (glucose, antibiotics, etc.) using a transducer element or detector element to quantify the
amount of analyte is the working principle of biosensors. The transducer or the detector element
(works in a physicochemical way; optical, piezoelectric, electrochemical, etc.) transforms the sig-
nal resulting from the interaction of the analyte with the biological element into another signal (i.e.,
transducers) that can be more easily measured and quantified.
21.4.2.2 Diagnosis Using Nanobots
Nanobiotechnology scientists have successfully produced microchips that are coated with biological
molecules. The chip is designed to emit an electrical impulse signal when the molecules detect signs
of a disease. Special sensor nanobots can be inserted into the blood under the skin where they can
check blood contents and warn of any possible diseases. They can also be used to monitor the sugar
level in the blood. Advantages of using such nanobots are that they are very cheap to produce and
easily portable [5] .
21.4.2.3 Quantum Dots
Quantum dots are nanomaterials that glow very brightly when illuminated by UV light. They can
be coated with a material that makes the dots attach specifically to the molecule they want to track.
Quantum dots bind themselves to proteins expressed in cancer cells, thus helping to visualize tumors
[9] ( Figure 21.3 ).
 
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