Nanotechnology: A tool for targeted drug delivery

Abstract

Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize diagnosis and therapy. Advances in protein engineering and material science have contributed to novel nanoscale targeting approaches that may bring new hope to patients. Recent developments in nanotechnology offer opportunities to significantly transform therapeutics. This technology has enabled the manipulation of the biological and physicochemical properties of nanomaterials to facilitate more efficient target-specific drug therapy. Engineered nanoparticles are an important tool to realize a number of these applications. Generally, particles having size ≤100 nm can only be used for medical purpose. Recent years have witnessed unprecedented growth of research and applications in the area of nanoscience and nanotechnology. There is an increasing optimism that nanotechnology, as applied to medicine, will bring significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.