Nano Medicine

Track 11: Nano Medicine:

Nano medicine is the medical application of nanotechnology. Nano medicine ranges from the medical applications of #nanomaterial’s and biological devices, to Nano electronic biosensors, and even possible future applications of molecular #nanotechnology such as biological machines. Current problems for Nano medicine involve understanding the issues related to toxicity and environmental impact of Nano scale materials (materials whose structure is on the scale of nanometers, i.e. billionths of a meter). Functionalities can be added to nanomaterial by interfacing them with biological molecules or structures. The size of nanomaterial’ is similar to that of most biological molecules and structures; therefore, nanomaterial’s can be useful for both in vivo and in vitro biomedical research and applications. Thus far, the integration of nanomaterial with biology has led to the development of diagnostic devices, contrast agents, analytical tools, physical therapy applications, and drug delivery vehicles.

Nano medicine seeks to deliver a valuable set of research tools and clinically useful devices in the near future. The National Nanotechnology Initiative expects new commercial applications in the pharmaceutical industry that may include advanced drug delivery systems, new therapies, and in vivo imaging. Nano medicine research is receiving funding from the US National Institutes of Health, including the funding in 2005 of a five-year plan to set up four Nano medicine centers. Nano medicine sales reached $16 billion in 2015, with a minimum of $3.8 billion in nanotechnology R&D being invested every year. Global funding for emerging nanotechnology is increased by 45% per year in recent years, with product sales exceeding $1 trillion in 2013. As the Nano medicine industry continues to grow, it is expected to have a significant impact on the economy.