Currently, nanoparticles can be used to advance drug treatments for many illnesses such as breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and emphysema. One of the main advantages of nanomedicines is that they can overcome the problem with the body removing the drug before it has taken effect. They are also able to specifically target certain cells, such as cancerous cells, whilst not harming healthy tissues.
We could be inserting nanotechnologies into the body, which travel through the circulatory and lymphatic systems, acting as activity monitors. These can alert to chemical imbalances, through wireless transmitters. They can also inform when a disease is developing. Similar nanotechnologies could release drugs or hormones into the body, hence removing the need to remember to take prescriptions. The DNA nanobot is a new device which can target cancerous cells; when the nanobot identifies the targeted cell, its two halves swing open to release drugs. Thus ensuring that all the cancer is completely removed after surgery, hence removing the need for chemotherapy We may also be implanting nanomachines into the nerves system, which oversees brain-wave activity, as well as pulse.
Even more advanced uses of nanotechnology could mean the utilisation of nanorobots during surgery: they could replace or fix damaged structures in the body. These could make their way into cells and change DNA molecules to correct inherited diseases.
Recent research at Queen's University has suggested that nanoparticles could be the cure for acute lung injury, which affects 20% of people in intensive care. The nanoparticles can attach to the blood cells which is linked with lung damage, reducing inflammation. This new drug is the size of 1 billionth of a metre.
Other nanomedicines could be based on polymers, graphene proteins, DNA, quantum dots, and surprisingly viruses.Viruses are already coming to the forefront of medicine with some being used to send replacement genes into targeted cells, which could cure genetic disorders. Synthetic polymers can be used to create worm shaped nanoparticles which are able to elude the body's immune system so that the body is not able to remove them, these could be used to specifically target tumours.
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