Nanotechnology in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

Nanotechnology refers to research and technology development at the atomic, molecular, and macromolecular scale, leading to the controlled manipulation and study of structures and devices with length scales in the 1-100 nanometers range. Objects at this scale, such as "nanoparticles," take on novel properties and functions that differ markedly from those seen in the bulk scale. The small size, surface tailor ability, improved solubility, and multifunctional of nanoparticles open many new research avenues for biologists. Nanoparticles are classified into inorganic nanoparticles such as gold nanoparticles and organic nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes and dendrimers. Different types of nanoparticals such as nanocrystals, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, quantum dots and superparamagnetic nanoparticles illustrated different examples of promising nanoparticles for cancer treatment and imaging.