Nanomaterials and Nanosystems for Biomedical Applications - M. Reza Mozafari
PREFACE
Nanotechnology has been defined as the scientific area, which deals with sizes and
tolerances of 0.1 to 100 nm (Albert Franks). This is a working definition that refers
to the properties of materials, in the above size range. More specifically, nanotechnology
can produce, characterize and study devises and systems by controlling
shape and size at nanometer scale. At that scale level, the chemical, physical and
biological properties of the materials have fundamental differences in comparison
to the material at the conventional scale level, because of the quantum mechanic
interactions at atomic level.
During the last decade, research on nanoparticles properties has tremendously
increased. In the European Union and in the USA a huge number of research
projects on nano-devices are ongoing. Europe has already responded to challenges
in the emerging field of Nanotechnology, participating with scientific experts from
academia, research institutes and industry to the vision regarding future research
and applications in Nanoscience.
Even though nanotechnology has become synonymous to innovation, there are
challenges, which comprise issues of toxicity, long term stability and degradation
pathways of nanoparticles, which may affect the environmental integrity and
balance. The harmonization as well as the protection of the intellectual properties of
the industries, which produce nanoparticles, is a concern of the regulatory authorities
and experts. They have to identify issues incorporated into the existing regulatory
framework or to evaluate new regulatory developments.
The economical landscape of nanobiotechnological products based on the
definition that nanoscience includes system, devises and products for healthcare,
aimed at prevention, diagnosis and therapy the total market segment for medical
devices and drug / pharmaceuticals, represented in 2003 a value of 535 billion
euros. The drugs segment values 390 billion euros. European Biotech companies
have made great efforts mainly in drug development and medical devices, but
commercialization effectiveness is relatively weak compared to the USA, with only
half as many companies as in the United States.
These facts described above, concerning the scientific area of nanotechnology
urge the need for studies and publications in order to characterize the impact of
nanomaterials, nanotools and nanodevices in healthcare.
This volume edited by Dr. M. Reza Mozafari, presents important chapters,
which refer to micro and nano systems, lipid vesicles and polypeptides as well as
applications of niosomes in the encapsulation and delivery of bioactive molecules
by using different routes of administration.
It is well known that the design of new drug delivery systems which are able to
transport toxic or poorly soluble bioactive molecules in aqueous media is driven
by the need to improve drug effectiveness and to minimize side effects. Therefore,
chapters concerning drug carriers are of great importance and useful for the readers
of this volume.
Nasal and pulmonary routes for drug delivery depend on the type of nanoparticle
such as liposomes, microspheres etc and the relevant chapter describes effectively
the nasal and pulmonary drug delivery mechanism. It is worth noticing that
inhalation, dermal and oral administration routes for preparing appropriate nanoparticles
are of great importance.
Download
*
PREFACE
Nanotechnology has been defined as the scientific area, which deals with sizes and
tolerances of 0.1 to 100 nm (Albert Franks). This is a working definition that refers
to the properties of materials, in the above size range. More specifically, nanotechnology
can produce, characterize and study devises and systems by controlling
shape and size at nanometer scale. At that scale level, the chemical, physical and
biological properties of the materials have fundamental differences in comparison
to the material at the conventional scale level, because of the quantum mechanic
interactions at atomic level.
During the last decade, research on nanoparticles properties has tremendously
increased. In the European Union and in the USA a huge number of research
projects on nano-devices are ongoing. Europe has already responded to challenges
in the emerging field of Nanotechnology, participating with scientific experts from
academia, research institutes and industry to the vision regarding future research
and applications in Nanoscience.
Even though nanotechnology has become synonymous to innovation, there are
challenges, which comprise issues of toxicity, long term stability and degradation
pathways of nanoparticles, which may affect the environmental integrity and
balance. The harmonization as well as the protection of the intellectual properties of
the industries, which produce nanoparticles, is a concern of the regulatory authorities
and experts. They have to identify issues incorporated into the existing regulatory
framework or to evaluate new regulatory developments.
The economical landscape of nanobiotechnological products based on the
definition that nanoscience includes system, devises and products for healthcare,
aimed at prevention, diagnosis and therapy the total market segment for medical
devices and drug / pharmaceuticals, represented in 2003 a value of 535 billion
euros. The drugs segment values 390 billion euros. European Biotech companies
have made great efforts mainly in drug development and medical devices, but
commercialization effectiveness is relatively weak compared to the USA, with only
half as many companies as in the United States.
These facts described above, concerning the scientific area of nanotechnology
urge the need for studies and publications in order to characterize the impact of
nanomaterials, nanotools and nanodevices in healthcare.
This volume edited by Dr. M. Reza Mozafari, presents important chapters,
which refer to micro and nano systems, lipid vesicles and polypeptides as well as
applications of niosomes in the encapsulation and delivery of bioactive molecules
by using different routes of administration.
It is well known that the design of new drug delivery systems which are able to
transport toxic or poorly soluble bioactive molecules in aqueous media is driven
by the need to improve drug effectiveness and to minimize side effects. Therefore,
chapters concerning drug carriers are of great importance and useful for the readers
of this volume.
Nasal and pulmonary routes for drug delivery depend on the type of nanoparticle
such as liposomes, microspheres etc and the relevant chapter describes effectively
the nasal and pulmonary drug delivery mechanism. It is worth noticing that
inhalation, dermal and oral administration routes for preparing appropriate nanoparticles
are of great importance.
Download
*