How is nanotechnology used in drug delivery?
The application of nanotechnology for drug delivery provides the potential for enhanced treatments with targeted delivery and fewer side effects. Nanotechnology drug delivery applications occur through the use of designed nanomaterials as well as forming delivery systems from nanoscale molecules such as liposomes.
What is viral nanotechnology?
Virus nanotechnology is the use of viruses as a source of nanoparticles for biomedical purposes. Viruses are made up of a genome and a capsid; and some viruses are enveloped. Most virus capsids measure between 20-500 nm in diameter.
What is virus like nanoparticles?
Virus-like particles (VLPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) are protein structures that resemble wild type viruses but do not have a viral genome nor infectious ability, creating in principle safer vaccine candidates.
How can nanoparticles benefit in infectious diseases?
‘Nanotrap’ particles are thermoresponsive hydrogels which are capable of capturing live infectious virus, viral RNA, and viral proteins. This type of novel technology can be extended to treatment of infectious diseases such as the influenza virus.
What are the health implications of nanoparticles used as drug carriers?
Nanoparticles have the potential to cross the blood brain barrier, which makes them extremely useful as a way to deliver drugs directly to the brain. On the other hand, this is also a major drawback because nanoparticles used to carry drugs may be toxic to the brain.
How do virus-like particles work?
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are virus-derived structures made up of one or more different molecules with the ability to self-assemble, mimicking the form and size of a virus particle but lacking the genetic material so they are not capable of infecting the host cell.
Does the flu vaccine contain nanoparticles?
Flu vaccines use a viral protein called hemagglutinin (HA). To create their vaccine, the researchers fused HA proteins to protein building blocks that assemble into nanometer-sized particles (nanoparticles). The resulting nanoparticles display the HA proteins for the immune system to react to.
Which nanoparticle can be used instead of antibiotics?
Zerovalent bismuth-containing NPs have shown promise in treating infections due to drug-resistant bacteria in combination with X-rays. Among the metal-containing NPs, Au NPs have moderate antibacterial activity unless their surface is modified. Ag NPs are the most effective nano-weapon against bacterial infections.
Which disease is a major focus for nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology advances have been heavily focused on cancer, mainly on diagnosis and drug delivery. The Central Scientific Instruments Organisation of India has designed a nanotechnology-based TB diagnostic kit, currently undergoing clinical trials.
What is virus-like agents?
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembled viral protein complexes with sizes ranging 20–800 nm (Fig. 10.5). VLPs mimic the native virus genetic material, making them noninfectious and safe for use.