Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
of non-viral vectors is a functionalised nanoparticle. The func-
tionalised nanoparticles have the ability to incorporate genetic
materials such as plasmid DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), RNA
(ribonulceic acid) and siRNA (small interfering ribonuleic acid),
but with little toxicity. This demonstrates a new era in pharma-
cotherapy for delivering genes into specific tissues and cells
(Jin et al., 2009).
Nanotechnology in disease diagnostics
Crop productivity is
greatly affected by diseases. The detection of the disease at the
exact stage is essential to effectively prevent it. Viral diseases are
the toughest ones to control as compared to other diseases. To
prevent most of the diseases, pesticides are routinely used; this
is not only associated with residual toxicity and environmental
hazards but also results in crop yield loss, if applied after the
appearance of the disease. Nano-based viral diagnostics include
a multiplexed diagnostic kit development which plunges for the
detection of the exact strain of the virus and its stage of applica-
tion. Along with the detection power of these nano-based diag-
nostic kits, they can also increase the speed of detection. The
detection and utilisation of biomarkers for accurate indication of
the stages of disease with differential protein production in both
healthy and diseased states, lead to the identification of several
proteins during the infection cycle. These proteins can be used as
markers for that particular disease stage.
Nanotechnology in pest control
With the advancement of
nanotechnology, nanoparticles are now being used to produce
pesticides, insecticides and insect repellants (Owolade et al.,
2008)
.
Nanoencapsulation is a process that involves the slow
and efficient release of chemicals such as insecticides into a
particular host plant for insect pest control. Nanoencapsulation
with nanoparticles in the form of pesticides allows proper
absorption of the chemical by the plants unlike large particles
(Scrinis and Lyons, 2007). Release mechanisms of nanoencap-
sulation are diffusion, dissolution, biodegradation and osmotic
pressure at specific pH. This process is also capable of deliver-
ing DNA and other desired chemicals into plant tissues for pro-
tection against insect pests. The ongoing research on silkworm,
Bombyx mori
L. race Nistari clearly shows that nanoparticles
could stimulate more production of fibroin protein that can help
to produce carbon nanotubes in future (Bhattacharyya et al.,
2008; Bhattacharyya, 2009). Nanoencapsulation is currently
the most promising technology for protection of host plants
against insect pests, but the toxicological and ecotoxicological
