Recent news highlighted a team of scientists who have successfully created a nanomicelle capable of efficient drug delivery to treat various types of cancers, such as breast, colon, and lung cancer. This is a promising step forward using nanotechnology, a groundbreaking technology that involves manipulating matter on atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scales. It deals with particles ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers.
The Formation and Characteristics of Nanomicelles
Nanomicelles are assembled by amphiphilic molecules and form a globular structure around 5 to 100 nm in diameter. The manufacturing process employs different agents to create nanomicelles. Typically, they are made through surfactant molecules, which may be non-ionic, ionic, or cationic detergents. Some nanomicelles may also be developed from a mixture of lipids and detergents.
Nanomicelles and Drug Delivery
The amphiphilic nature of nanomicelles, having a hydrophilic outer shell and a hydrophobic interior, makes them ideal carriers for delivering drug molecules. The hydrophilic shell makes the micelle water-soluble, facilitating intravenous delivery, and the hydrophobic core carries the drug payload for therapy. Once injected, the nanomicelles can escape the circulation and enter tumors where the blood vessels are leaky – a characteristic absent in healthy organs.
Importance of Targeted Delivery
A primary goal in cancer therapy is to destroy the cancer cells without damaging the body’s healthy cells. Because most approved chemotherapeutics have high toxicity and numerous side effects, effective targeted drug delivery becomes an urgent need.
Nanotechnology and Healthcare
Nanotechnology has multiple applications in healthcare beyond cancer treatment. For instance, it includes nanotech detectors for heart attacks and plaques in arteries, nanocarriers for eye surgery and chemotherapy, diabetic pads for blood sugar regulation, nanoparticles for drug delivery to the brain for therapeutic treatment of neurological disorders, nanosponges for toxin absorption, NanoFlares for cancer cell detection, and nanopores for efficient DNA sequencing.
Recent Uses and Risks of Nanotechnology
The recent use of nanotechnology includes an antiviral nano coating on face masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits. However, with its nascent stage, potential risks are contentious. Authorities have started assessing risks associated with nanoparticles, including nanotoxicology. The effects of nanoparticles based on their size, shape, reactivity, and behavior inside organisms need rigorous assessment. Also, the waste from nanodevices or nanomaterials during the manufacturing process is an issue, known as nanopollution.
Governmental Initiatives for Nanotechnology
To promote research and development in nanotechnology, the Nano Science and Technology Mission (NSTM) was launched in 2007. The mission aims at multiple objectives, including promoting research, supporting infrastructure development, developing human resources, and fostering international collaborations. Furthermore, the Nano Science and Technology Initiative (NSTI) was established by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in 2001, focusing on infrastructure development, research, and application programs relating to nanomaterials.
