Manual of temporomandibular disorders

Abstract

Nanotechnology, which deals with features as small as a 1 billionth of a meter, began to enter into the mainstream physical sciences and engineering some 20 years ago. Recent applications of nanoscience are their use in electronics, catalysis, and biomedical research. Among these applications, strong interest and focus has been given to research involving biological processes such as blood coagulation control and multimodal bioimaging and has brought about a new and exciting research field called nanobiotechnology. Biotechnology itself also dates back to 20-30 years and it involves the manipulation of macroscopic biological systems such as cells and mice to fundamentally or phenomenally understand why and how certain molecular level mechanisms affect specific biological functions such as the role of APP (amyloid precursor protein) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review aims, first, to introduce key concepts and materials that were engineered under the context of nanotechnology to a non-physical sciences community. Second, to introduce several state-of-the-art examples that were either constructed for use in biological systems or that can, in time, be utilized for biomedical research. Third, to provide recent excerpts in nanotoxicology and multifunctional nanoparticle systems (MFNPSs). And, fourth, to propose neuroscience research areas that may benefit from interfacial research involving neurobiologically important systems and nanostructured materials.