Nanotechnology in medicine (nanomedicine) involves the use of materials and devices at the nanoscale (1–100 nm) to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases with high precision. By enabling targeted drug delivery, early diagnosis, and personalised therapy, nanomedicine is reshaping modern healthcare.
Applications of Nanotechnology in Medicine:
1. Targeted Drug Delivery: Nanocarriers such as liposomes, nanomicelles, and dendrimers deliver drugs directly to diseased cells, reducing toxicity.
Example: Nanomicelles exploit leaky tumour vasculature to deliver chemotherapy selectively.
2. Diagnosis and Therapy: Gold and iron oxide nanoparticles are used in targeted chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, and magnetic hyperthermia.
Example: Gold nanoparticles are under clinical trials for cancer ablation.
3. Advanced Diagnostics: Nano-biosensors and lab-on-chip devices enable rapid, point-of-care detection of biomarkers and pathogens.
Example: NanoFlares detect circulating cancer cells in blood.
4. Antimicrobial Applications: Nano-silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles combat antibiotic-resistant microbes using non-traditional bactericidal mechanisms.
Example: Antimicrobial nano-coatings in wound dressings and hospital surfaces.
5. Regenerative Medicine: Nanofibres and nanopatterned scaffolds support tissue engineering and prosthetic integration.
Example: Electrospun nanofibres for skin and bone regeneration.
Challenges and Concerns:
1. Nanotoxicity and Bioaccumulation: Nanoparticles can cross biological barriers, causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage.
Example: Carbon nanotubes show asbestos-like pathogenicity.
2. Regulatory and Ethical Gaps: Clear approval pathways for nanodrugs are still evolving, creating regulatory uncertainty.
3. Cost Barriers: Complex synthesis leads to scalability issues and high costs, limiting accessibility.
4. Environmental Risks: Nanopollution from manufacturing and disposal may affect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
5. Application potential: Most nanoparticles struggle to cross the blood–brain barrier, restricting neurological uses.
Way Forward:
- Establish robust nanotoxicology and safety assessment frameworks.
- Develop clear regulatory guidelines for nanomedicines.
- Promote indigenous R&D through programmes like the Nano Science and Technology Mission.
- Encourage ethical oversight and lifecycle assessment of nanomaterials.
- Integrate nanomedicine with AI and genomics for personalised healthcare.
Conclusion:
Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionise medicine by enabling precision, personalisation, and prevention. Responsible innovation, strong regulation, and safety-first adoption is key especially in a country like India.
‘+1’ Value Addition:
- Gold nanoparticles are in late-stage clinical trials for targeted cancer therapy.
- Nano-silver is widely used to counter antimicrobial resistance in wound care.
- Antiviral nano-coatings were deployed on PPE kits during COVID-19.
- Nanopores have made DNA sequencing faster and cheaper laying foundation for next-gen genomics.
- India’s Nano Science & Technology Mission (2007) supports drug delivery, gene targeting, and nano-diagnostics.
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