Nanotechnology and Its Applications in Biomedical Sciences

Abstract

The use of nanotechnology products in biomedicine has led to the emergence of a hybrid science known as nano-biotechnology. Due to the nanoscale nature of most biological systems, nanoscale materials integrate well into biomedical devices. In response to certain stimuli, highly ordered bottom-up nano-structured materials exhibit specific behaviours. Nanomaterial applications are tuned by surface chemistry and physics. This chapter provides an overview of the use of metallic, metal oxide, and carbon nanoparticles for specific biomedical applications. It also discusses liposomes and nano-patterned flat surfaces. A challenge is determining the effects of nanomaterials on biological systems. However, a detailed understanding of nanomaterial potential toxicity is needed to take advantage of their potential applications in medicine. To minimize false results, it is important to interpret the relationship between toxicity and physicochemical properties cautiously.