Although the term “nanotechnology” has only become part of the lexicon since 1974 - when it was proposed by Norion Taniguchi to describe semiconductor processes - nanoscale materials have been used for centuries. The physico-chemical properties of matter at a very small scale (particularly in the nanometer range - 10-9 m) are very different from those at a larger scale, allowing the development of nanoscale materials tailored to have specific chemical functionalities, mechanical tunability, responsiveness and biomimicry (i e resembling or inspired by nature). Nanomaterials can find their ways into virtually any application market, ranging from electronics to energy, automotive, environment, aerospace, food and agriculture.
The field of nanobiotechnology, which explores the interface of engineered nanomaterials and biological systems, has had a profound impact in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. The last decades saw enormous progress in the field of cancer nanomedicine, with nanomaterials being designed and engineered to diagnose, image and treat tumours in an attempt to address the lack of current effective diagnostic tools and cancer therapies. Of course, as with any relatively new and unknown science, the clinical use of complex multifunctional nanomaterials still faces considerable challenges and regulatory hurdles, not to mention a lack of understanding of long-term environmental and health effects. Nonetheless, nanobiotechnology is a world of endless opportunities and unexplored paths.
This course will give you an overview of how nanosized materials with a variety of chemical compositions (e g transition metals, polymers, lipids, peptides, DNA) and unique optical, magnetic and/or structural properties are transforming medical diagnostics and therapy.
Learning outcomes
- Understanding the concept of nanobiotechnology and how it translates into real world applications;
- Having an overview of the different organic and inorganic materials and chemistries that can be used in nanomedicine;
- Being aware of the challenges and prospects of nanobiotechnology and the potential environmental and health implications of nanomaterials.
