STS PPT 15: NANOTECHNOLOGY PART II

Drug Delivery, Diagnostic Techniques, Antibacterial Treatments, Wound Treatments

What are the Nanotechnologies in Medicine?

Drug Delivery

One application of nanotechnology in medicine currently being developed involves employing nanoparticles to deliver drugs, heat, light or other substances to specific types of cells (such as cancer cells). Particles are engineered so that they are attracted to diseased cells, which allows direct treatment of those cells. This technique reduces damage to healthy cells in the body and allows for earlier detection of disease.

Drug Delivery

Particles are engineered so that they are attracted to diseased cells, which allows direct treatment of those cells.

Drug Delivery

This technique reduces damage to healthy cells in the body and allows for earlier detection of disease.

North Carolina State University developed a method to deliver cardiac stem cells to damaged heart tissue

Example of Drug Delivery with the use of Nanotechnology?

Diagnostic Techniques

Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are using antibodies attached to carbon nanotubes in chips to detect cancer cells in the blood stream.

Diagnostic Techniques

The researchers believe this method could be used in simple lab tests that could provide early detection of cancer cells in the bloodstream.

Use of gold nanorods functionalized to attach to the type of protein generated by damaged kidneys

Example of Diagnostic Techniques using Nanotechnology?

Antibacterial Treatments

Researchers at the University of Houston are developing a technique to kill bacteria using gold nanoparticles and infrared light. This method may lead to improved cleaning of instruments in hospital settings.

Wound Treatment

For trauma patients with internal bleeding another way to reduce the blood loss is needed.

Wound Treatment

Researchers at Chase Western Reserve University are developing polymer nanoparticles that act as synthetic platelets.

Wound Treatment

Lab tests have shown that injection of these synthetic platelets significantly reduces blood loss.

Fertilizer Nanoparticles, Soil Improvement and Water Retention Nanomaterials

What are the Nanotechnology in Agriculture?

Fertilizer Nanoparticles

They are used for better nutrient absorption of plants and site-specific nutrient delivery

Soil Improvement and Water Retention Nanomaterials

_____________________________________ like zeolites and nanoclays are used to hold water and liquid agrochemicals in soil for their subsequent slow release to plants

Zeolites, Nanoclays

Example of Soil Improvement and Water Retention Nanomaterials

Enhanced Delivery, Pollution Detection

What are the Promising Case Studies on Nanotechnology Applications?

Enhanced Delivery

30% of people worldwide and 40%of schoolchildren suffer from iron deficiency.

Enhanced Delivery

A study on fertilizers containing nano-iron particles has shown nanotechnology can increase the iron level in watermelons substantially.

Pollution Detection

Mercury is toxic in small amounts and identified by the WHO as a serious threat to the health of young children and especially fetuses.

Mercury

It is toxic in small amounts and identified by the WHO as a serious threat to the health of young children and especially fetuses.

Pollution Detection

Nanosensors based on silver particles are able to detect these small amounts of mercury in soil and plants

Nanosensors based on silver particles

They are able to detect these small amounts of mercury in soil and plants

Nanosilica based fertilizer that increases germination and growth rate of tomatoes. Fruitect coating technology which boosts shelf life of high valued fruits such as mango and papaya. Nanoencapsulated plant growth regulators which enhances germination and root development of coffee, banana, and casava

What are the Nanotechnology in the Philippines that were developed by UPLB?

Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development

What is DOST-PCASTRD?

Notable Products

These are developed in the strengthened nanotechnology programs of the University of the Philippines Los Baños include:

1) nanosilica-based fertilizer that increases germination and growth rate of tomatoes

2) fruitect® coating technology which boosts shelf life of high valued fruits such as mango and papaya

3) nanoencapsulated plant growth regulators which enhances germination and root development of coffee, banana, and cassava.

Nanosilica based Fertilizer

A fertilizer that increases germination and growth rate of tomatoes

Fruitect coating technology

This boosts shelf life of high valued fruits such as mango and papaya

Nanoencapsulated Plant Growth Regulators

This enhances germination and root development of coffee, banana, and cassava.

Health Risks and Environmental Concerns

Scientists have valid concerns regarding short and long-term threats to the human health and the environment.

Health Risks and Environmental Concerns

When inhaled, nanoparticle may reach the blood, brain, and other organs, causing adverse effects such as inflammation in the lungs and other organs.

Health Risks and Environmental Concerns

Nanoparticles can travel through a mother's placenta adversely affecting the developing fetus.

Health Risks and Environmental Concerns

Nanoparticles can assist in the formation of free radicals.

Scientist

__________ have valid concerns regarding short and long-term threats to the human health and the environment.

Nanoparticles

______________ can travel through a mother's placenta adversely affecting the developing fetus.

Nanoparticles

_______can assist in the formation of free radicals.

Fullerenes

studies showed ______________ travel freely through soil and could be absorbed by earthworms. This is a potential link up the food chain to humans and presents one of the possible dangers of nanotechnology.