The scientific field of nanotechnology is rapidly evolving and will soon significantly impact virtually every aspect of our lives. While its greatest effect has been on the materials, semiconductor, and instrumentation industries, nanotechnology’s promise in bettering the health of human beings is showing significant signs of maturation. This book comprehensively addresses the latest findings and discoveries in the area of nanomedicine. It initially covers the evolution of nanotechnology in general from a historical perspective and then focuses on all the major areas of medicine for which nanotechnology has the potential to make a transformational impact. This is backed up by a thorough review of published research representing some of the most exciting findings in medical science today. Major areas of concentration include, but are not limited to, targeted nanoparticles for cancer treatment, clinical neuroscience, nanofibers for tissue engineering, nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery, and diagnostics. The text finishes with a look into the future with a chapter dedicated to intriguing possibilities in nanomedicine backed up by real data and research. In addition, an entire chapter is dedicated to worldwide governmental regulatory impact on nanomedicine.
There is a dearth of introductory material tailored specifically for students in the area of nanomedicine. While a number of comprehensive books exist that outline the promise of the nanosciences as they apply to medical applications, including most recent advances in medical research, these texts fail to properly introduce the student to nanoscience and nanotechnology as it applies first to biology and subsequently to potential therapeutic and diagnostic applications. This book comprehensively covers a broad range of therapeutic and diagnostic applications of nanotechnology and explains these fields in such a way that the reader gets an expansive view of cutting-edge discoveries along with historical perspectives. The text is devoted to the basic principles of nanotechnology and focuses on nanomaterials and nanoparticles, because with respect to the whole of nanoscience, these sectors hold the most promise for the future of medicine. The book progresses rapidly to focus on nanomedicine as it applies to current and future society.
