Nanomedisin

Nanomedisin, or nanomedicine, refers to medical applications of nanoscale science and technology. It encompasses the use of nanoscale materials, devices, and biologically inspired tools to diagnose, monitor, treat, and prevent disease. At the core is the ability to manipulate matter at 1 to 100 nanometers to alter biological interactions, improve selectivity, and enable new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches.

Common technologies include nanoparticles for drug delivery (liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles such as PLGA, dendrimers), inorganic nanoparticles (gold, silica) used in imaging or photothermal therapy, and nanoscale carriers for gene or RNA delivery. Applications span targeted chemotherapy, imaging contrast agents, theranostics that combine therapy and diagnostics, vaccine adjuvants, antimicrobial surfaces, and tissue engineering scaffolds. Examples include liposomal doxorubicin in cancer therapy and gold nanoshells for photothermal ablation; quantum dots in imaging are used in research but face biosafety considerations.

Developing nanomedisin faces challenges in safety, toxicity, biodistribution, and long-term effects, as well as manufacturing scale-up, quality control, and regulatory approval. The field emphasizes translational research, standardized testing, and risk assessment. Regulatory agencies evaluate nanomedicine products based on pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and clinical benefit, with ongoing efforts to harmonize guidelines. Ongoing research aims to expand precision medicine and personalized therapies while ensuring patient safety and environmental responsibility.