NanomedicineCenter.com

A new breakthrough in medical diagnostics

A team of scientists from the North Carolina State University has discovered a new material that could be used for building nanodevices that would be of enormous importance in medical diagnostics.

Many researchers have been trying to find a material that would be „friendly“ and safe enough to put it into human body. That would help a lot of patients, especially the ones with diabetes (the devices would measure the glucose level in the blood). Naturally, when a device is implanted, body proteins build sensors that „break“ those devices and they cannot work properly. Inflammatory responses are very usual. The new material could avoid all that and the devices would work without any problems.

„Nanoporous ceramic membranes are the answer.“ claim the researchers from NCSU. They say that they would be the ideal interface between devices and human tissues.

The team leader was Dr. Roger Narayan.

Diamonds in cancer treatment

Diamonds, valuable in many ways, have found their place in nanomedicine. Over the last few years, they have gained a flattering name – biomaterial of the 21st century! Diamond nanoparticles are under heavy research in numerous areas (prostheses, solar) and now it’s been shown that they could be useful in cancer treatment.

Nanodevices, made out of diamond nanoparticles, could be used for drug delivery to places where tumors have already been removed. „Our research has shown that nanodiamons can be easily embedded within nanodevices.“ says Dr. Ho, Assistant Professor at the Northwestern University.

„Our patch could be used to treat cancer leftovers in regions where the tumor cells were surgically removed.“ says Dr. Ho.

The research crew is now continuing their work to try to find out more areas where the patch could be applied.

Nanoparticles in cosmetics

A report (The Whitch) published today says that companies aren’t paying much attention to full testing of nanoparticles they use in their products. The report says that many nanoparticles which haven’t been tested are being used all the time in many cosmetic products, mainly in face creams and various moisturisers.

Nanoparticles can help in making the products better, but sometimes they behave in an unexpected way – and they can even become toxic.

The first concerns about nanoparticles’ safety was raised 4 years ago, and not much was done since then.

„Companies should open themselves and let us know how are they using nanotechnology in their products.“ says Sue Davies of The Which.

Some other products that contain nano* have been proven dangerous, such as carbon tubes which were used while developing tennis rackets and car panels.

What are nanoshells

Nanoshells are spherical cores of certain compounds which are surrounded by a shell whose thickness is in the nano (10^-9) range. They are especially useful in nanomedicine.

Constant research is being done in this area. Best known nanoshell so far is gold nanoshell. Since gold is very „friendly“ with biological system, it’s useful in nanomedicine.

The area where nanoshells can be used are cancer treatment and diagnostics.