nanoscience and health research. the role of nanotechnology in: fighting disease causing organisms....
TRANSCRIPT
Nanoscience and Health Research
The role of nanotechnology in:
• Fighting disease causing organisms.
• Developing medical devices.
• Faster diagnoses.
Why use nanotechnology?
• Identify and fight microscopic organisms.
• 3 main types of pathogens.
Fungus
•Fungus cell = 0.005 to 0.05 mm.
Bacteria
• Bacterium = 0.2 – 2.0 µm in diameter.
• 25 times smaller than fungi.
• Bacteria can be destroyed with antibiotics.
Virus
• Range in size from 20 to 250 nm.
• 10 times smaller than bacteria.
• 250 times smaller than fungi.
How are pathogens detected?
• Grow on petri dishes.
• Test the response of the specimen to various antibiotics and anti-fungicides.
Problem: diagnoses takes time
• Some pathogens may take minutes to grow, others may take hours.
• Need a small scale petri dish where even the smallest pathogenic growth can be registered very quickly.
A possible nano solution
• Use of cantilevers a few hundred nm thin.
• In this system, micro-organisms are detected with nano-devices.
Using cantilevers to detect pathogens
• Cantilever vibrates.
• As micro-organisms grow the frequency of vibration changes.
• Extremely sensitive and quick detection.
Other nano-diagnostic tools
• Mini portable laboratory.
• One drop of blood could be instantly tested for a whole array of diseases and conditions.
Benefits of the lab on a chip
• Quicker diagnostics.
• Greater control over analysis.
• Less waste.
• Small devices allow samples to be analysed at the point of need rather than a laboratory.
• Uses in other areas:
industrial applications and environmental monitoring.
Portable lab chips
• Chips could be injected into the bloodstream.
• Travel to diseased cells.
• Diagnose.
• Deliver medication.
Nanotechnology and cancer treatment
• Chemotherapy not specific.
• Nano drug delivery can directly target tumours.
Magnetic nanoparticles
• Some nanoparticles become magnetic in the presence of a magnetic field.
• Nanoparticles target cells- magnetic field makes them vibrate, heat up and destroy cancer cell.
– Clinical trials already happening!
• MRI imaging for faster diagnoses.
Nanoparticle drug delivery
• Enzymes bound to carbon nanotubes or particles.
• One enzyme (key) fits one substrate (lock).
• Particles can contain medication which would release when the enzyme reaches its specific target.
Nanotechnology and stents
• Stents widen damaged arteries.
• Research is being conducted into the use of a stent manufactured from extremely light, yet extremely strong nanomaterials.
Nanotechnology and heart disease
• Nanopatch can bring dead heart tissue back to life.
• Carbon nanofibres are excellent conductors of electrons.
• Keeps heart beating steadily.
Nanotechnology and tissue growth
• Improved tissue grafts.
• Promote vascular growth.
• Faster healing.
• Healthy skin invades wounded area.
• Reduce the need for surgeries. A tissue scaffold with visible pores.
Clockwise, schematic diagrams showing cross-sections of micro-structured tissue
templates.
Nanotechnology and preventing infection
•Silver nanoparticles in paint.
•Combating pathogens.
Nanotechnology- potential health risks
• Where do particles go?
– Do they stay in cells/blood stream?
• Are workers safe manufacturing them?
• Where do we dispose of them?
– Environment issues
Summary
• Role of nanotechnology in healthcare.
• Advances in healthcare from nanotechnology.
• Future directions for nanotechnology.