NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATIONS IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE
Patric Joshua P*, Veerendra V, Rajesh M
ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology is the design, characterization, production and
application of structures, devices and systems by controlling shape and
size on a nanometer scale. Nanoparticles have different physical and
chemical characteristics compared to their larger equivalents because
of a very high surface to mass ratio, physical activity and chemical
stability. Nanoparticles can be broadly grouped as organic and
inorganic nanoparticles. Due to various advancements in nano
technology it has been used in the field of medicine like delivering
drug across blood barrier system, targeted drug delivery system, repair
and regeneration of tissues, hearing and vision, disease diagnosis and
health monitoring. Magnetic nanoparticles are also used in targeted
therapy where a cytotoxic drug is attached to a biocompatible magnetic
nanoparticle. Nanoparticles have also been incorporated in cloth
which has shown promise to be sterile and thus helping in
minimizing infections. Bioremediation of radioactive wastes from nuclear power plants and
nuclear weapon production, such as uranium has been achieved using nanoparticles.
Nanoparticles have more suface to mass ratio when compared to conventional normal forms.
Nanoparticles are less toxic than their conventional normal form. Nanoparticles can cross
blood-brain barrier system and can penetrate through deep tissues due to its smaller size as
that of biological molecules within the body.
Keywords: Nanoparticles, nanometer scale, targeted drug delivery.
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