Trends in Biomedical Nanotechnology(1)

Trends in Biomedical Nanotechnology Programs Worldwide

By Mark Morrison and Ineke Malsch

An overview of trends in nanotechnology research programs for biomedical applications in the United States, leading European countries, and Japan. We focus on technologies for applications inside the body, including drug delivery technologies for pharmaceuticals, and new materials and technologies for prostheses and implants. We also include technologies for applications outside the body including diagnostics and high throughput screening of drug compounds. We cover the main application areas in pharmaceuticals and medical devices — areas where governments expect nanotechnology to make important contributions. We also outline the currently operational national and European Union (EU) policies and programs intended to stimulate the development of biomedical nanotechnology in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
Several applications of nanotechnology are already available in the market. Lipid spheres (liposomes) with diameters of 100 nm are available for carrying anticancer drugs inside the body. Some anti-fungal foot sprays contain nanoscale zinc oxide particles to reduce clogging.

Nanotechnology is producing short-term impacts in the areas of:

Medical diagnostic tools and sensors
Drug delivery
Catalysts (many applications in chemistry and pharmaceuticals)
Alloys (e.g., steel and materials used in prosthetics) Improved and body-friendly implants
Biosensors and chemical sensors
Bioanalysis tools Bioseparation technologies Medical imaging
Filters

Most current applications utilize nanopowder qualities instead of other properties present at the nanoscale. The next stage of applications of nanotechnology will allow products to exhibit more unusual properties as product creation is approached from the bottom up. This is considered a measure of the development of nanotechnology. Long-term product and application perspectives of nanotechnology with high future market potentials include:

Perfect selective sensors for the control of environment, food, and body functions Pharmaceuticals that have long-term dosable capabilities and can be taken orally Replacements for human tissues and organs
Economical or reusable diagnostic chips for preventive medical surveys

It is estimated that more than 300 companies in Europe are involved in nano- technology as their primary areas of business, and many more companies, particu- larly larger organizations, are pursuing some activities in the field. Large organiza- tions currently exploring the possibilities of nanotechnology with near-term applications in drug delivery are Biosante, Akzo Nobel, Ciba, Eli Lilly, and Merck.

Source:Biomedical nanotechnology / edited by Neelina H. Malsch