Nanoscience in Healthcare

 Prevention
 Treatment
 Prosthetics

By Jeanne Nye, Andrew Greenberg, Ph.D. and Angela Jones, Ph.D.

 Nanoscience

From cancer to the common cold,

from broken bones to sunburn,
from cavities to heart disease

How can small science

help us fight big
medical problems?
 What is nanotechnology?
A description -
• Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at
dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers, or
nanoscale.
• Unusual physical, chemical, and biological properties can
emerge in materials at the nanoscale. These properties may
differ in important ways from the properties of bulk materials
and single atoms or molecules.
• Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering, and
technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring,
modeling, and manipulating matter at this length scale.

Note: This slide and the next 9 slides are the same for all research areas.
Resource: www.nano.gov
 How BIG is nano?
Macrosize
meters, decimeters, centimeters, millimeters

Child Hand Pi nk y Fi nger Freck le St rand o f Hai r

100 10-1 10-2 10-3 10-4

A child is about 1 meter tall A hand is about 1 decimeter wide A pinky finger is about A freckle is about 1 millimeter wide A hair is about one tenth of a
1 meter = 1,000,000,000 nm 1 decimeter = 100,000,000 nm 1 centimeter wide 1 millimeter = 1,000,000 nm millimeter wide
(1 billion nanometers) (100 million nanometers) 1 centimeter = 10,000,000 nm (1 million nanometers) 0.1 millimeter = 100,000 nm
(10 million nanometers) (100 thousand nanometers)

Microsize Nanosize
micrometers nanometers
Red Blood Cell Bac t er i a Virus Cell M em brane Sugar M o l ecul e Atom

10-5 10-6 10-7 10-8 10-9 10-10

A red blood cell is about A bacterium is about A viron is about one tenth A cell membrane is about A sugar molecule is about An atom is about one tenth
10 micrometers wide 1 micrometer wide of a micrometer wide 10 nanometers wide 1 nanometer wide of a nanometer wide
10 micrometers = 10,000 nm 1 micrometer = 1,000 nm 0.1 micrometer = 100 nm 10 nanometers = 10 nm 1 nanometer = 1 nm 0.1 nanometer = 0.1 nm
(10 thousand nanometers) (1 thousand nanometers) (1 hundred nanometers)

Created in 2008 by Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY, www.sciencenter.org

Accompanying book available for purchase at www.lulu.com

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Agreement No. ESI-0532536.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s)
and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
 Nanoscale
1 nanometer =
1 billionth (10-9) of a
meter

D 109 D

a marble
 Why do we care?
Things behave differently at this scale
• Quantum mechanics plays a
much more important role
• For example,
– A brick of gold is shiny and
“gold”-colored.
– A vial of gold nanoparticles in
solution can be a range of colors
depending on the size of the
nanoparticles.
– This is because of a phenomenon
know as quantum confinement. Suspensions of discrete (separated)
gold nanoparticles in clear solution
vary in color from pink to purple as
the nanoparticle size gets bigger.
Image source: “Causes of Color”, WebExhibits,
http://www.webexhibits.org/causesofcolor/9.html
 Why else do we care?
This is the scale of biological processes
• Human cells and bacteria have
diameters around 1-10 Structure of DNA
micrometers PDB ID: 1BNA

BUT
• Cellular machinery is on the
nanoscale
– Diameter of DNA is ~2
nanometers
– Hemoglobin, the protein that
carries oxygen through the
body, is 5.5 nanometers in
diameter
Structure of hemoglobin
PDB ID: 1BUW
 One more reason: surface area
Another reason nanomaterials behave differently from bulk materials of
the same chemical is because of surface area – or the area of an object
that is an exposed surface.
For this cube, each
edge is 1 meter in For these
length. cubes,
each edge
1m is 0.1
meters in
length, but
there are
1m 1000
1m
cubes.
Volume
(in cubic meters): 1m X 1m X 1m = 1 m3 (0.1m X 0.1m X 0.1m) X 1000 cubes = 1 m3

Surface Area
(in square meters): (1m X 1m) X 6 sides = 6 m2 (0.1m X 0.1m) X 6 sides X 1000 cubes = 60 m2
 Surface Area and Reactions
• This increased surface area allows chemical reactions to
go much faster.
• Think about it this way:
Which dissolves faster in your coffee or tea, a sugar
cube or a teaspoon of granulated sugar?

Answer:
Granulated
sugar
 Nano-enabled Consumer Products

As of the March 10, 2011, there are over 1300

consumer products around the world that are
manufacturer-identified as nanotechnology-
based.
• Touch screens (iPhone) • Bicycles
• Sunscreens • Fabric
• Cosmetics • Computer memory
• Tennis rackets • Many more…
These products are here, ready to buy today!
Resources: The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies website: http://www.nanotechproject.org/
 Activity Description
• You have been assigned an area of nanotechnology research
to support.
• Go through this presentation and any other credible sources
to identify three benefits of research in nanotechnology
toward your area of interest and up to three potential risks
you perceive in your area of interest.
• As a group, we will weigh the risks and benefits of each area
to decide how much of our federal nanotechnology budget
should go to each research area.
 Disclaimer:
this is a contrived scenario
• There are no federal nanotechnology budget cuts
– $1.7 billion estimated for FY2012 (fiscal year 2012)
– Increased investment proposed for FY2013 (nearly $1.8 billion)
• Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) subcommittee of
the National Science and Technology Council's Committee on Technology
is an actual government entity
– Composed of representatives from 25 federal agencies (NIH, DOE, DOD, etc.)
– Purpose is to coordinate planning, budgeting, and implementation of the
National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)
– These representatives work together to create an integrated federal program.
• Actual nano “budget” is different from what is proposed in this activity
– Actual “budget” is given as a supplement to the President’s 2013 Budget
Request submitted to Congress
– It represents the sum of the investment in nanotechnology and nanoscience
planned for 2013 by federal agencies
– The agencies submit how much they are planning to spend on nanoscience
– In the activity scenario, we’re doing the opposite of what the actual NNI
Budget represents in that we’re distributing a pre-determined amount
amongst these research areas.
Resources: NNI Budget website: http://www.nano.gov/about-nni/what/funding
 Healthcare and Medicine

In this presentation, you will learn about

some of the developments in nanotechnology
in healthcare and medicine
 Consider the following when learning about these
developments:

1. Might these nanotechnology developments

infringe on human rights to privacy and
freedom?
2. Is it safe for me? Is it safe for others?
3. Could the use of this nanotechnology
development have unwanted and negative
environmental effects?
4. What economic impact could the use of this
nanotechnology development have on
producers, consumers, and other industries?
Might they be negative or positive?
 What About Your Rights?
If so, are these developments
more important than

• Your privacy?
• Your rights as a citizen?
• Your rights as a human
being?

Are the answers somewhere

in between?

Image source: http://www.info4security.com/Pictures/web/w/v/m/iStock_Law.jpg

 Links to outside sources

Within this presentation will be many underlined

words. If you click on the underlined text, your
browser will take you to other websites, videos,
or other resources to learn more about what is on
the slide.
These links are chosen to give you additional information,
but these presentations can stand alone . It is
unnecessary to go to the links for the purpose of this
activity.
We try to make sure the links are active, but given the
ever-changing nature of the internet, you might find a
few that take you to a location that is no longer active.
Please let the facilitator know if you find an inactive link.
 Goals of Nanotechnology in
Healthcare
With the use of nanotechnology,
scientists hope to prevent illness,
more quickly diagnose, control disease
and treat disease with fewer side
effects, and create better medical aids
such as more compatible prosthetics.
Nanoparticles and surfaces
made of nanostructures are used in
many areas of healthcare research.
You’ll read about some of these on the
following pages.

Resource: http://www.nanotruck.de/en/
 Prevention Applications of
Nanotechnology in Healthcare

Specific applications for nanotechnology in medicine

include these developments:
1. Better tools for prevention
 Nanoscopes and nanotweezers
 Novel membranes for cleaning blood
 Miniaturized probes for recognizing
disease
2. Nano-dots that trace disease
3. Improved detection through medical
imaging
 MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) someday be injected into people's bloodstreams to treat
Tiny capsules much smaller than these blood cells may

with better contrast agents conditions ranging from cancer to radiation damage. [2]
Copyright 1999, Daniel Higgins, University of Illinois
 CAT (Computerized Axial at Chicago.

Tomography) scans
Resources: [1] Bullis, K., “Cell-Like Nano Particles for Attacking Disease,” Technology Review,
http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17578&ch=nanotech
[2] NASA Science News, “ Voyage of the Nano-surgeons,,” http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/15jan_nano.htm
[3] “Nanotweezers Help Understand Actions of Chemotherapy Agent, “MedGadget,
http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2007/08/nanotweezers_help_understand_actions_of_chemotherapy_agent.html
 Nanotechnology Treatm ent
Applications in Healthcare
4. Innovative medicines and drug
delivery for detection and
treatm ent
 Cancer medicines that only
target cancer cells
 Antimicrobials (germs)
5. I m plants and orthopedics
(having to do with your bones) High-magnification scanning electron microscopy
shows (center of micrograph) the leg of an osteoblast
(bone precursor), called a cytoplasmic extension,
that are more compatible and attaching to nano-sized hydroxyapatite crystals, similar
to those in natural bone, that make up a CPC implant.

that last longer Credit: NIST

Resources [1] National Cancer Institute Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer, http://nano.cancer.gov/
[2] Newman, M., “Layered Approach May Yield Stronger, More Successful Bone Implants,” NIST,
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/techbeat/tb2007_0816.htm
 1. Nanoscience and
Prevention
 Nanoscience can potentially help
us detect and treat cancer at the
molecular level. [1]
 Nanotechnologies will most likely
allow us to rapidly sequence DNA
(nanosequencing). Doctors could
know right away if you have a
genetic tendency for a disease or a
drug interaction. [2]
Imagine having a check-up without
even leaving home. That may be
possible with nanoscience and hand-
held equipment.
Resources [1] National Cancer Institute Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer, http://nano.cancer.gov/
[2] Stein, R, “Next-Generation Sequencing Update,” Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News. http://www.genengnews.com/gen-articles/next-generation-
sequencing-update/2584/
 1. Nanoscience and
Prevention
 Gold nanoparticles
in toothpaste is
more effective in
preventing plaque
formation, cavities
and gingivitis. [1]
 Nanotechnologies
will be used for Nano-Gold Toothpaste, Credit: Lexon Nanotech, Inc.
improving human
performance, too.
[2]
Resources [1] Nanorama, http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/consumer/browse/products/nanorama_gold_toothpaste/
[2] Miller, C. “Nanotechnology for Human Performance: What Does the Public Think?”
http://www.nisenet.org/blogs/real_world_nano/nanotechnology_human_enhancement_what_does_public_think
 Microscopes, My How
They’ve Changed!

Atomic force microscopy

(AFM) (which can move single
atoms around) is being used
to create smaller devices for
use in diagnostics and drug
discovery. AFMs can also be
used to create surfaces using
nanotechnology which will be
more biocompatible than
previous materials.
Atomic Force Microscope measuring a sample.
Credit: NISE Net.

Resources [1] Atomic Force Microscopy, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_force_microscopy

[2] Atomic Force Microscope, NISE Net, http://www.nisenet.org/node/3449
 Nano-Tweezers

New nano-tweezers
can guide themselves
to pick up and move
individual cells
without damaging
them. They can be
attached to a
microscope and be
programmed to
function without
human control. This robotic pair of fingers can grasp tiny objects delicately
with its own sense of touch. [1] Image Credit: Yu Sun (ref. 2)

Resources [1] Inman, M, “Tiny robotic hand has the gentlest touch,” New Scientist. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13725-tiny-robotic-hand-has-the-gentlest-
touch.html?feedId=online-news_rss20
[2] Kim, K., et al. "Nanonewton Force-Controlled Manipulation of Biological Cells Using a Monolithic Mems Microgripper with Two-Axis Force Feedback."
Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering 18.5 (2008).
 Nanotechnology Detects
Salmonella
Recent outbreaks in
Salmonella have consumers
demanding quicker
detection of food-borne
pathogens.

Researchers at the
University of Georgia have
developed a novel way of
detecting food-borne Color-enhanced scanning electron micrograph

bacteria faster using

showing Salmonella typhimurium (red) invading
cultured human cells.
Credit: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH
nanorod-based sensors.
Resources [1] Berger, M., “A nanotechnology biosensor for Salmonella detection ,” Nanowerk, http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=4963.php
[2] Fu, J., et al. "An Au/Si Hetero-Nanorod-Based Biosensor for Salmonella Detection." Nanotechnology 19.15 (2008): 7.
 Food Storage and
Nanoscience
Maybe you already have one of these new
storage containers that use nanotechnology
Kinect sells food storage containers that contain
silver nanoparticles, which are antimicrobial, to
keep foods fresher longer.

Resources: Kinect Go Green Premium Food Storage webpage - http://www.kinetic-cookware.com/product.asp?cat=59&subcat=113

 2. Diagnosis, Treatment and
Control with Nanoscience

Patient illnesses will

be diagnosed and
monitored more
rapidly with lab-on-
chip devices thanks
to nanotechnology.
 Better Medications

Medicines made with

nanoparticles have great
advantages:
 Nanoparticles can improve
their solubility. Medicines
usually need to be water-
soluble.
 They can increase the drug's
resistance to stomach acid
and enzymes which will allow
better uptake from the small
intestine.
The cholera bacteria in this scanning electron microscope image  Nanotechnology will provide
cause a potentially fatal disease of the digestive system. controlled release, possibly
Credit: Dartmouth Electron Microscope Facility via NISE Net over days rather than
minutes or hours.
Resource: International Strategy and Foresight Report on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Final Report 19th March 2004
 Better Drug Delivery

Researchers at
University of
California Santa
Barbara are using
nanotechnology for
drug delivery. Read
more here.
Polymer nanoparticles attach to red blood cells and remain
in circulation for prolonged times. Unattached nanoparticles
are rapidly cleared by body's immune system.
Image Credit: Mr. Peter Allen, UCSB. Society for
Experimental Biology and Medicine via EurekAlert!
 Nanotech Approach to
Heart Disease
• Nanoscience is building
delivery devices that carry
medicines and nanodevices to
where dangerous plaque is
located.
• Scientists are also designing
self-assembling molecular
nano-stents, devices used to
physically support arteries,
and
• Nanotechnology has also Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque can cause a heart

linked human proteins to attack. The Burnham Institute Program of Excellence

in Nanotechnology will design nano-devices to deliver
nano-devices to sense and drugs, or even synthesize a nano-stent, to stabilize
plaque. Such devices can be coupled to nano-radios
respond to vulnerable plaque. for external communication with physicians. [1]
Image source: MedGadget
Resource: [1] Burnham Institute Named a Program of Excellence in Nanotechnology by NIH; Awarded $13 M to Mount Nano-Attack on Atherosclerotic Plaque,
http://www.sanfordburnham.org/news__events/news_archive/2005/june_13_2005.aspx
 Nano-Nerve Fibers

Nanosized molecules can self-assemble into

hollow, cylindrical nanofibers inside the
bodies of mice. These nanofibers then act
as a scaffold by trapping cells, which help
nerve fibers grow. The surface of the
nanofibers also inhibits scar tissue from
forming which would block the nerve fibers
and prevent their growth.

Resource: [1] Nanotechnology Used to Enhance Regeneration of Nerve Cells, http://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=4134

[2] Cohn, A., “Striking a Nerve,” Innovations: Research & News from Berkeley Engineering, http://innovations.coe.berkeley.edu/vol2-issue6-
june08/strikinganerve
 Nanosilver
Silver is amazing. It has been used to fight infections
and control spoilage since at least the times of ancient
Greece and Rome! As nanoparticles it can be used as a
wound dressing, like bandages, antimicrobial ointments
and cleaners. Silver must come in contact with the cut
or burn to work effectively. Silver kills bacteria by
blocking their metabolism in a way that makes it difficult
for bacteria to become resistant to silver. There are
many examples of how we already use nanosilver
products at http://bit.ly/jQWDED. There are some
concerns about its environmental and health safety.
The EPA has released a report on the “State of Science”
in understanding the impact of nanosilver:
http://www.epa.gov/nanoscience/files/NanoPaper1.pdf

Resource: [1] United Press International, “Nano silver fights infections,” http://www.physorg.com/news5536.html
 More Wound Care at the
Nanoscale

A gecko-inspired medical
adhesive may someday seal
wounds and replace sutures
or staples. Modeled after
the feet of a gecko, it has
extra sticking power.
Someday these adhesives
may also deliver medicines
Nanoscale features molded into the surface of the adhesive
bandage help it bond extremely well. Similar features on
or growth factors to
the feet of geckos allow the lizards to walk on walls and
ceilings. Image courtesy of PNAS/National Academy of
promote healing.
Sciences (copyright 2008) via Science Friday.

Resources: [1] Dougherty, E., “MIT creates gecko-inspired bandage,” MIT News, http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/adhesive-0218.html
[2] Mahdavi, A., et al. "A Biodegradable and Biocompatible Gecko-Inspired Tissue Adhesive." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United
States of America 105.7 (2008): 2307-12.
 3. Nanotechnology and
the disabled
Research by Brown University engineering
The Center for Nanotechnology in Society professor, Thomas Webster, showed how a
surface of carbon nanotubes combined with
at Arizona State University released a electrical pulses could help regenerate
report that outlines ways nanotechnology cartilage naturally in the body [2,3].

will help the disabled (linked here) [1].

A few excerpts follow:
• Molecular prosthetics – nano
components that can repair or replace
defective cellular components
• Retinal implants and cochlear devices
• Bionic implants such as artificial joints,
muscles, noses, tongues, kidney, liver, A scanning electron microscope image shows a
carbon nanotube/polymer composite surface
lungs… and the list goes on. that grows cartilage. Scale bar = 500 nm.
Credit: Dongwoo Khang, Thomas
Resource: [1] Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State University website, http://cns.asu.edu/ Webster/Brown University via ref. 2.
[2] Lewis, R.,” Brown researchers work toward ending cartilage loss,” Brown University News, http://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2008/06/cartilage08jun
[3] Khang, D., G. E. Park, and T. J. Webster. "Enhanced Chondrocyte Densities on Carbon Nanotube Composites: The Combined Role of Nanosurface
Roughness and Electrical Stimulation." Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A 86A.1 (2008): 253-60.
 Nanosurfaces

Besides improving the

compatibility and longevity
of devices and implants,
nanostructured surfaces
(nanotopography) can get
cells to attach and even
direct the cells to grow into
certain shapes, like those This scanning electron microscope image shows a
hydrogel scaffold grown for studying brain tissue
engineering and nerve regeneration.
nerve fibers mentioned Image Credit: D Nisbet, Monash University via NISE
Net

earlier.
Resource: [1] “Stem Cells Shape Up to Their Surroundings,” Science Daily, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101007123117.htm
 Healthcare Websites
These are websites will provide more information on nanotechnology in
healthcare. The general website page linked at the bottom of this page is full of
nanotechnology sites related to multiple areas including yours.

 National Cancer Institute Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer,

http://nano.cancer.gov/
 Nanotechnology at the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering http://www.nibib.nih.gov/Research/NIHNano
 Nanotechnology at the National Institutes of Health
http://www.nih.gov/science/nanotechnology/
 Northwestern University website on applications of nanotechnology in medicine
http://www.discovernano.northwestern.edu/affect/applications_content/medicin
e
 http://nanopedia.case.edu/NWPage.php?page=nanomedicine
 Article that describes some of the health concerns of nanoparticles usage
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=1820.php
 EPA regulates Nano-silver
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/intheworks/nanotechnology.htm

 General Nanoscience Website Links

Image source: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/0,28757,1633488,00.html

 Nano-enabled consumer
products
To learn more about nano-enabled consumer products in all areas of
research visit the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies

• Established in April 2005 as a partnership between the Woodrow

Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Pew Charitable
Trusts
• “The Project is dedicated to helping ensure that as
nanotechnologies advance, possible risks are minimized, public
and consumer engagement remains strong, and the potential
benefits of these new technologies are realized.”
• Their website includes news and publications about issues with
nanotechnology.
• It also includes inventories of consumer products that are
manufacturer-identified as nanotechnology based, and as of the
March 10, 2011 update, there are over 1300 products around
the world.
Resources: The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies website: http://www.nanotechproject.org/
 More on the website

If time allows, return to the main website and

watch some of the videos that provide “expert
testimony” in the area of nanotechnology in
healthcare and medicine.
Click here