Nanomedicine

Super-small submarines or robots shooting through the blood to repair our bodies, is this what we might be prescribed instead of a pill or operation when we visit a doctor in the future? Nanorobots could be used in performing nanosurgery, cell-targeted drug delivery, dentistry and even biological aging. Some people argue that the arrival of tiny machines or robots is unlikely to become a reality. Nanotechology has, however, already began to see practical application, and mini medicine has began. In fact the first nanotechnology-based targeted drug delivery systems are already on the market.

In nanomedicine everything is tiny, and at this level elements perform dramatically differently than they do at the micro or the macro scales. Biological molecules and structures inside living cells operate at the scale of about 100 nanometers or less. Nanomedicine uses engineered nanodevices and nanostructures to monitor, repair and control human biological systems.
Nanomedicine might provide better, and more efficient health care. It promises solutions to many illnesses, and the possibility to intervene better and earlier. Nanoparticles are able to sneak past the immune system and across barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier, and the stomach wall. Nanomedicine might also improve the quality of life - erasing wrinkles, helping the body to get rid of excess fat and cellulite, strengthening muscles and bones. Nanomedicine might even prepare for space colonization. We might send nanorobots and nanomachines to build structures on other planets, and we might alter the human physiology to adapt better to the atmospheric conditions of other worlds.
The development of nanoparticles for cancer detection are one of the most promising areas. When gold particles are reduced to a few nanometers they become highly reactive and bind to silica cluster silica is an element in sand. The clusters can absorb infrared light and create heat to potentially kill cancer cells. The gold nanobullets seek-and-destroy the tumours. Nanomedicines could be a helpful therapy for patients, since radiation therapy and chemotherapy often end up destroying more healthy cells than cancerous ones. Nanobullets might destroy only the cancerous cells.
Scientists are also working to create nanostructures that serve as new kinds of drugs for Parkinson's and cardiovascular disease. Nanomaterials are tested to be used as artificial tissues that would replace diseased kidneys and livers, and even repair nerve damage. Implants that restore vision and hearing and are other exciting possibilities. Artificial skin, bone and cartilage are in an advanced stage of development, and partly already on the market.
Another highly attractive area of nanomedicine is diagnostics at nanoscale. The aim is to identify a disease at the earliest possible stage. Finding the first cancer cells and destroying them before a tumor has developed in the body might be a possibility.
Small but dangerous? Some people are concerned that putting such small particles in our bodies may cause us harm. A chemical that is safe in its normal state might be harmful in its nano-form. It might, of course, remain harmless. Studies have suggested that the body's immune system fails to respond to the presence of nanoparticles. This means that nanoparticles might be successfully injected to the body, but if a particle prove to be toxic the consequences could be fatal.

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