Revolutionizing the healthcare of the future through nanomedicine: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Nanotechnology refers to the design, production and application of structures, devices or systems at the incredibly small scale of atoms and molecules-the "nanoscale". As a result, this technology has the potential to remarkably affect the development of the healthcare sector by revolutionizing both the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of diseases. In this paper, current advances in modern medicine are presented and discussed. Drug delivery, gene delivery, immune system support and health monitoring are demonstrated as few examples of the many applications that uses nanotechnology in disease diagnosis. In addition, the technology of bionanosensors is presented to highlight their ability to sense the biochemical and biophysical signals associated with diseases at the molecular or cellular levels. Further, nanoparticles are demonstrated as essential building blocks of nanotechnology in which various types of materials are presented and characterized. Finally, the challenges and future trends associated with this developing technology are illustrated.