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Nanotechnology
Working Areas
Nanotechnology
includes design and positioning of individual atoms or molecules to
create materials, structures, components or machines less than
100 nanometers in size. Individual nanounits may be coordinated to
form larger structures or systems.
Working Areas
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Nanomachines or Nanobots:
An
electro-mechanical device that functions on a scale of nanometers.
It may: perform computations; sense and respond to
environmental stimuli; be capable of movement; communicate
and cooperate; perform molecular assembly; self-repair;
and replicate.
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Biophotonics:
The science of
using light to understand the inner workings of cells and tissues in
living organisms.
Applications include:
Nanomedicine is
the use of nanotechnology (nanodevices) to interact with
cells, tissues, and biological processes for: diagnosis and treatment of
illness and injury; and enhancement of human health and
functioning.
Nanopharmacology systems may:
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Diagnose conditions
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Detect pathogens
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Identify optimal pharmaceutical agents to treat the condition or
pathogens
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Fuel high-yield production of matched pharmaceuticals (in vivo)
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Locate, attach or enter target cells,
structures or pathogens; and dispense the optimal amount of
matched pharmaceutical to the target areas. This may allow
selective killing of cancer cells or viruses that currently resist
medical treatment, with minimal systemic drug concentration and
side effects
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In
addition monitor and adjust biological processes
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Remove abnormal structures
such as arterial plaque
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Repair tissue or defective DNA
at the molecular level
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Replace organs
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