Three Nanoparticle Breakthroughs in the Medical Field for 2018
What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating atoms and molecules. A nanometer is a billionth of a meter. We are talking manipulation of very small particles. Particles that may only be seen with a high-powered microscope. We have only had the ability to “see” atoms for about thirty years (What is Nanotechnology, n.d.). There are several promising nanotechnology medical treatments 2018.
Nanotechnology in Medicine
In the last ten years or so, it has been attempted to use a nanoparticle-based drug-delivery system to treat cancer. It has been mostly unsuccessful. Contributing to the lack of success is the hurdle of the mononuclear phagocytic system not clearing the nanoparticles (Zhao & Liu, 2018).
Zhao and Liu suggest that the future of nanotechnology focus upon systemic diseases that do not rely upon the enhanced permeability and retention effect (the major mechanism to passively deliver nanodrugs to tumors). Viral, bacterial and fungal infections are systemic infections. They can lead to life-threatening inflammatory responses according to Zhao and Liu.
Gold has been used in nanotechnology, but it is relatively expensive. Gold is not the only metal that has been found to be beneficial in nanotechnology medical treatments 2018. Two other metals that I will discuss next are silver and copper which are much cheaper alternatives than gold. They are especially helpful in treating bacterial infections such as streptococcal or E. Coli infections.
Somya et. Al (2018) tested Phyllanthus Acidus (a type of gooseberry) mediated silver on E. Coli. The results were that the silver appeared to inhibit the proliferation of the bacteria.
Bastos et. Al. (2018) discovered that Ligand-doped copper oxo-hydroxide nanoparticles were effective against microbials as well. Nanotechnology in medicine 2018 seems to be going in a new direction in testing out the effects on drug-delivery on bacterial infections instead of focusing upon the treatment of tumors as in the past.
These are three medical technology breakthroughs 2018:
- Focus more on systemic diseases than cancer
- Phyllanthus Acidus mediated silver can be used on E. Coli
- Ligand-doped copper oxo-hydroxide nanoparticles are effective anti-microbials.
Resources:
Bastos et. Al. (2018). Ligand-Doped Copper Oxo-hydroxide Nanoparticles are Effective Antimicrobials. Nanoscale Research Letters 13:111.
Somya et. Al. (2018). Exploration of Phyllanthus acidus mediated silver nanoparticles and its activity against infectious bacterial pathogen. Chemistry Central Journal 12:42.
Zhao, M. & Liu, M. (2018). New Avenues for Nanoparticle-Related Therapies. Nanoscale Research Letters 13:136.
What is Nanotechnology (n.d.) retrieved from: https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/definition.
