Small medicine for big diseases

Nanoparticles may represent the medicine of the future, said  Eduardo Da Silva MD PhD, University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal.

“The aim of nanoparticles is the comprehensive monitoring , control, construction, repair, defence and improvement of human biological systems at the molecular level using engineered nanodevices and nanostructures  operating massively in parallel at the single cell level ultimately to achieve a medical benefit, said Dr Da Silva at a joint symposium of the European Paediatric ophthalmology Society (EPOS) and   the world society of paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus (WSPOS), held at the XXXI Congress of the ESCRS in Amsterdam.

He noted that the earliest uses of nanomedicine will likely come in the form of drug delivery devices that would very specifically deliver specific agents to specific cells.

Nano medicine might also be used in the form of tissue regeneration scaffolds and implantable nano-devices with biomolecular machinery which would perform such functions as genetic testing IOP monitoring.

There is intensive research currently underway into the use of nano particles , which are particles in the nanometre size range designed for the delivery of drugs to specific parts of the body. Typically the active agent is contained within a macromolecular structure

Types of nanoparticles under investigation include nanospheres, nanogels, nano-micelles , and nano suspensions, each with their theoretical advantages and disadvantages.

Some obstacles that remain to the use of nanoparticles include the persistence of nanoparticles , the need for safe manufacturing techniques and the possibility of unintended consequences .

Nevertheless the research into new nanoparticle medicine delivery systems continues to proceed apace, Dr Da Silva said.