NANOTECH INSIDE THE BODY

Nanotechnology is becoming increasingly promising in the field of medicine. Nanoparticles, objects much smaller than a single cell, are showing various potential uses that could revolutionize medical practices. These uses range from greatly improving medical imaging to curing cancer.

A significant part of the usefulness of nanoparticles is their engineered ability to target cells and tissues within the body. For instance, gold nanoparticles can be made to target the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Once the nanoparticles have attached to the parasite cells, an external laser can be applied which excites them and kills the parasite via induced heat. This same method can be applied to cancerous tumor cells. In future application this might mean giving a patient a small injection of nanoparticles in solution, then, after a waiting period, shining a laser on the patient's body. This kills harmful cells without harming the patient. Another application is drug delivery. Drugs can be attached to nanoparticles which then go to targeted cells. This means drug doses can be drastically smaller while having the same or better results. Yet another application is for medical imaging; nanoparticles greatly improve MRI images. If the nanoparticles were made to target a tumor, then the tumor cells would light up under an MRI scan.

IBM has engineered biodegradable, plastic nanoparticles that target bacteria and shred their cell membranes. In tests involving mice, IBM's nanoparticles successfully killed the infamous MRSA bacteria, proving their effectiveness against drug-resistant germs. After a few days of killing bacteria, the nanoparticles break down and leave the body along with other bodily waste.

There are some applications that have yet to be seen, but many people remain hopeful. Nanoscale robots would be able to physically repair cellular damage and rearrange molecules. Such “nanobots” could dramatically increase control over microscopic processes within the body. Another application would be to interface the nervous system with computers. One major limitation of current neural sensors—used to connect the brains of quadriplegics and others with computers—is the size and number of electrodes. Nanoscale sensors could potentially connect with individual neurons, greatly increasing the resolution of information given to a computer.

As these technologies are refined and improved, people's lifespans should increase accordingly. How long will we be able to live in the coming decades? Drug resistance will become less of a problem. Medical imaging will improve in detail and clarity. Cancer will be an easily treatable disease. Maybe we will even cure the common cold.