🫳Intro to Nanotechnology Unit 12 – Nanobiotech: Medical Applications

Fundamentals of Nanobiotech

• Nanobiotech combines principles of nanotechnology and biology to develop innovative solutions for healthcare
• Involves the manipulation and engineering of matter at the nanoscale (1-100 nanometers) for medical applications
• Leverages unique properties of nanomaterials such as increased surface area to volume ratio and enhanced reactivity
• Enables targeted drug delivery, improved diagnostic techniques, and advanced therapeutic approaches
• Interdisciplinary field that brings together experts from nanotechnology, biology, medicine, and materials science
• Aims to address complex medical challenges and improve patient outcomes through precise and personalized interventions
• Potential to revolutionize healthcare by providing more effective, efficient, and accessible solutions

Key Concepts in Medical Nanotech

• Nanomaterials exhibit distinct physical, chemical, and biological properties compared to their bulk counterparts
  • Increased surface area to volume ratio enhances reactivity and interaction with biological systems
  • Quantum effects at the nanoscale can influence optical, magnetic, and electrical properties
• Biocompatibility is crucial for the safe and effective use of nanomaterials in medical applications
  • Materials must be non-toxic, non-immunogenic, and stable in physiological environments
• Targeted drug delivery systems aim to deliver therapeutic agents specifically to diseased cells or tissues
  • Reduces side effects and improves drug efficacy by minimizing off-target interactions
• Nanodiagnostics involve the use of nanomaterials and devices for early detection and monitoring of diseases
  • Enables highly sensitive and specific detection of biomarkers, pathogens, and cellular abnormalities
• Nanoscale imaging techniques provide high-resolution visualization of biological structures and processes
  • Techniques include atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and super-resolution microscopy
• Nanobiosensors are devices that detect and measure biological or chemical entities at the nanoscale
  • Can be used for real-time monitoring of physiological parameters, disease progression, and treatment response
• Nanorobotics involves the development of nanoscale machines or robots for medical applications
  • Potential applications include targeted drug delivery, minimally invasive surgeries, and cellular repairs

Nanoparticles and Drug Delivery

• Nanoparticles are nanoscale structures that can be engineered to carry therapeutic agents or diagnostic probes
• Common types of nanoparticles used in drug delivery include liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and metallic nanoparticles
• Nanoparticles can be functionalized with targeting ligands to enhance specificity and accumulation at disease sites
  • Ligands can include antibodies, peptides, or small molecules that bind to specific receptors or antigens
• Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles can release their payload in response to external triggers such as pH, temperature, or light
  • Enables controlled and triggered drug release at the desired location and time
• Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of therapeutic agents
• Encapsulation of drugs within nanoparticles can protect them from degradation and premature release in the body
• Nanoparticles can facilitate the delivery of drugs across biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier
• Multifunctional nanoparticles can combine therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities for theranostic applications

Diagnostic Applications

• Nanodiagnostics leverage the unique properties of nanomaterials for sensitive and specific detection of biomarkers
• Gold nanoparticles are widely used in diagnostic assays due to their optical properties and ease of functionalization
  • Can be used in colorimetric assays, lateral flow assays, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)
• Quantum dots are fluorescent nanocrystals that can be used for multiplexed imaging and detection of multiple targets
• Magnetic nanoparticles can be used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement and magnetic separation of biomarkers
• Nanobiosensors can detect and quantify specific analytes such as proteins, nucleic acids, or metabolites
  • Can be based on various transduction mechanisms such as electrochemical, optical, or mechanical sensing
• Nanofluidic devices enable precise manipulation and analysis of biological samples at the nanoscale
  • Can be used for single-cell analysis, DNA sequencing, and point-of-care diagnostics
• Nanodiagnostics offer the potential for early detection of diseases, enabling timely intervention and improved patient outcomes

Therapeutic Innovations

• Nanomedicine aims to develop therapeutic strategies that leverage the unique properties of nanomaterials
• Nanoscale drug carriers can improve the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of therapeutic agents
  • Can enhance drug solubility, stability, and circulation time in the body
• Targeted drug delivery systems can selectively deliver drugs to diseased cells or tissues, minimizing off-target effects
  • Can be achieved through passive targeting (enhanced permeability and retention effect) or active targeting (ligand-receptor interactions)
• Nanoparticle-based cancer therapies can exploit the abnormal vasculature and microenvironment of tumors for selective accumulation
  • Examples include Doxil (liposomal doxorubicin) and Abraxane (albumin-bound paclitaxel)
• Nanomaterials can be used for photothermal therapy, where light is converted into heat to destroy cancer cells
  • Gold nanoshells and carbon nanotubes are examples of nanomaterials used for photothermal therapy
• Gene therapy can benefit from nanocarriers that protect nucleic acids from degradation and facilitate cellular uptake
  • Nanoparticles such as lipid nanoparticles and polymeric nanoparticles can be used for gene delivery
• Nanoparticle-based vaccines can enhance the immune response and provide targeted delivery of antigens and adjuvants
• Regenerative medicine can leverage nanomaterials for tissue engineering and regeneration
  • Nanofibers, nanocomposites, and nanopatterned scaffolds can mimic the extracellular matrix and guide cell growth and differentiation

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

• Safety and toxicity concerns arise from the potential adverse effects of nanomaterials on human health and the environment
  • Nanomaterials may have unique toxicological profiles due to their small size and high reactivity
• Biocompatibility and biodegradability of nanomaterials need to be carefully evaluated to ensure long-term safety
• Immunogenicity of nanomaterials can trigger undesired immune responses and lead to complications
• Regulatory challenges exist in the development and approval of nanomedicines due to their complex nature and novel properties
  • Standardized characterization methods and safety assessment protocols are needed
• Intellectual property and patent issues can arise due to the interdisciplinary nature of nanobiotech and the involvement of multiple stakeholders
• Ethical considerations include equitable access to nanomedicines, informed consent, and privacy concerns related to nanodiagnostics
• Public perception and acceptance of nanotechnology in healthcare need to be addressed through effective communication and engagement
• Environmental impact and life cycle assessment of nanomaterials should be considered to ensure sustainable development

Future Directions and Emerging Technologies

• Personalized nanomedicine aims to tailor treatments based on individual patient characteristics and genetic profiles
  • Nanoparticles can be designed to respond to specific biomarkers or cellular environments
• Theranostics combine diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities into a single nanomedicine platform
  • Enables real-time monitoring of treatment response and adjustment of therapy
• Nanorobotics and nanomachines hold promise for targeted drug delivery, minimally invasive surgeries, and cellular repairs
  • Examples include DNA origami nanorobots and magnetically guided nanoswimmers
• Nanoscale 3D printing techniques can enable the fabrication of complex nanostructures for tissue engineering and drug delivery
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning can be integrated with nanobiotech for data analysis, predictive modeling, and rational design of nanomedicines
• Nanomaterials can be combined with other emerging technologies such as CRISPR gene editing and optogenetics for precise manipulation of biological systems
• Wearable and implantable nanodevices can enable continuous monitoring of physiological parameters and real-time therapeutic interventions
• Nanobiotech has the potential to address global health challenges such as infectious diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders

Real-World Case Studies

• Doxil: First FDA-approved nanomedicine, a liposomal formulation of doxorubicin for the treatment of ovarian cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma
  • Liposomal encapsulation reduces cardiotoxicity and improves pharmacokinetics compared to conventional doxorubicin
• Abraxane: Albumin-bound paclitaxel nanoparticles for the treatment of various cancers, including breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer
  • Nanoparticle formulation eliminates the need for toxic solvents and enhances tumor penetration
• Verigene: Nanoparticle-based diagnostic system for rapid identification of infectious pathogens and antibiotic resistance markers
  • Uses gold nanoparticle probes and microarray technology for multiplexed detection
• Feraheme: Iron oxide nanoparticles for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in adult patients with chronic kidney disease
  • Nanoparticle formulation allows for rapid and efficient iron delivery and reduces the risk of anaphylaxis compared to conventional iron therapies
• NanoTherm: Magnetic nanoparticles for the treatment of solid tumors through magnetic hyperthermia
  • Nanoparticles are injected directly into the tumor and heated using an alternating magnetic field to destroy cancer cells
• Onpattro: Lipid nanoparticle formulation of siRNA for the treatment of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis
  • Nanoparticles enable targeted delivery of siRNA to the liver, silencing the production of the disease-causing protein
• NanoFlares: Gold nanoparticle-based probes for live-cell detection and imaging of intracellular RNA
  • Nanoparticles are functionalized with fluorophore-labeled oligonucleotides that fluoresce upon binding to target RNA sequences
• Nanopatch: Nanoscale patch for needle-free delivery of vaccines and drugs through the skin
  • Consists of an array of densely packed microprojections coated with the vaccine or drug formulation for efficient and painless delivery