Nanomedicine

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary scientific field with roots in medicine, communications, genomics, and robotics. Miniaturization provides cost effective and more rapidly functioning mechanical, chemical and biological components. But nanometer sized objects also possess self-ordering and assembly behaviors quite different from larger macro objects that when understood and harnessed will dramatically enhance the quality of human life. The potential applications of nanotechnology encompass virtually every aspect of our lives but one of the greatest values of nanotechnology will be the development of new and effective medical treatments (i.e. nanomedicine). This review focuses on the potential of nanomedicine including using nanoparticles for diagnostic and screening purposes, viral detection, developing artificial receptors, DNA sequencing using nanopores, manufacture of unique drug delivery systems, gene therapy applications, and the enablement of tissue engineering.