Nanotechnology, the Future of Medicine

                                                         

      (http://nanomedblog.blogspot.com/)

The words nanotechnology in medicine may bring up mental images of tiny robots attached to one’s brain to correct unwanted behavior or promote daily functioning. These mental images may scare away candidates with the chance to receive treatments that use nanotechnology. People need to realize that nanotechnology can be extremely helpful because it offers regenerative benefits throughout the body. The author of Start Small, Think Big, discusses how nanotechnology has been used to create full organs for patients needing organ transplants. In another article, “Seeing A Bionic Eye on Medicine’s Horizon” With Nanomedical Technology, the author explains how nanotechnology is being used to discover how neurons function. This is important because it may lead to important advances in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. While these two articles discuss the use of nanotechnology for different purposes, it is clear that nanotechnology is the future of medicine because of its regenerative benefits. 

The article, Start Small, Think Big describes how nanotechnology was recently utilized to replace a cancer patient’s (Andemariam Teklesenbet Beyene) trachea and two main bronchi. Scientists created a glass replica of the patient’s trachea and two main bronchi, sprayed the soon-to-be organ with a nanocomposite, and soaked the structure in the patient’s stem cells. This high-tech art project then grew into a fully functioning organ that was into the patient without the risk of rejection. “Windpipes have been replaced before, but Beyene's operation was unique in that no donor was required and there is no risk of rejection. The procedure was a triumph of cooperation, both between international researchers and between the physical and biological sciences” (“Start Small, Think Big”). The combination of nanotechnology in the production of a scaffold and the regenerative help from stem cells along with the decreased risk of rejection demonstrates how nanotechnology is the future of medicine. 

The article, “Seeing A Bionic Eye on Medicine’s Horizon” With Nanomedical Technology briefly describes how nanotechnology is being used in the bodies of rats. Nanotechnology is also being used in rats to discover how neurons function. Scientists have used electricity to coax neurons to grow on man-made structures. "It can be helpful in in vitro and in in vivo applications, and provides an understanding of how neurons work so we can build better devices and drugs," says Professor Yael Hanein (Jsd, 2010). This research shows how nanotechnology can be used inside the body. It also shows the massive potential of nanotechnology in medicine. 

While these two articles may differ in their use of nanotechnology, they show the versatility of nanotechnology. Their successes and benefits such as patients no longer requiring an organ donor for a new organ show that as the technology progresses, more and more procedures will utilize nanotechnology. Hopefully nanotechnology will reach a point where it is constantly used in the medical field to regenerate ailing joints and organs as well as lengthen the average life expectancy worldwide. 

Citations: 

"Start Small, Think Big." Nature 251.476 (2011): n. pag. Web. 29 Jan. 2012. <http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v476/n7360/full/476251a.html>. 

Jsd, . "“Seeing A Bionic Eye on Medicine’s Horizon” With Nanomedical Technology." Blog. Nanotechnology in Medicine. N.p., 21 Apr. 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2012. <http://nanomedblog.blogspot.com/>.