It’s about life and death. A team of doctors, laser equipment and a submarine are reduced to the size of microbes and injected into the bloodstream of a critically injured patient. The doctors bravely work their way to his brain and remove a blood clot there – a happy ending à la Hollywood. “The Fantastic Journey” is the name of this American science fiction film from 1966, which at the time was a tightrope walk between medical expertise and a blossoming imagination. But what was classified as grotesque 45 years ago is now within reach. Researchers around the world are working under high pressure on new diagnostics and healing methods in mini, or rather in atomic format. This involves, for example, tiny capsules that release medicines precisely where they are needed, or remote-controlled mini-robots which can clean even the finest blood vessels in the eyes. It is about a technology that is currently being discussed more controversially among scientists than almost any other: nanotechnology. Highly specialized laboratories assemble atoms and molecules in much the same way that small children assemble building blocks. This results in completely new structures and materials with fascinating properties – not only for medicine.
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Huge sums of money for tiny particles – everyone is hoping for nanomedicine
The healing dwarfs – “nano” is Greek and means “dwarf” – are considered the key technology of the century, as “our ticket to the future”. This is what it says in the foreword by Federal Research Minister Annette Schavan to the “Action Plan 2010”, the German Nano Initiative. Since it started in 2005, Schavan’s authority has invested 24 million euros in funding for the development of nanomedicine alone. The EU is providing an additional 100 million for basic research and product development up to 2013. Sums that give an idea of the hopes politics, business and science are placing in nanotechnology. But what is it really? The whole thing is based on ultra-small particles. “These consist of a few atoms or molecules and are measured in nanometers,” explains Dr. Claus Duschl from the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Technology, IBMT for short, in Potsdam. “They can be made artificially from a wide variety of materials, but they also occur in nature.” For example, there are bacteria that move with tiny rotary engines. “They are nothing more than biological nanomachines developed by nature,” says the expert.
It is their diversity that makes the nanoparticles so interesting
It is their diversity and changeability that make nanoparticles so interesting
Researchers have only had the technical equipment with which they can examine and recreate such tiny structures for a few years. For comparison: a nanometer is roughly the same size ratio to a meter as the diameter of a cent coin is to the diameter of our earth. Inconceivably! In this invisible world own laws prevail. This is what makes nanoparticles so interesting for many industries. For example, they have special abilities in dealing with light. Depending on the material, they can absorb it completely or scatter it in a predetermined way. The cosmetics industry already uses such particles in sun protection creams. Others are used in medicine to detect cancer even earlier than before. US researchers have now developed metal nanoparticles with tiny hooks that get caught in blood vessels, that nourish malignant tumors. This marks them and they are immediately discovered in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Without the nanoparticles, MRI would not be able to differentiate between healthy and diseased tissue at such an early stage. “Another important point is that nanoparticles have different chemical and physical properties than larger particles of the same material and composition,” explains IBMT specialist Dr. shower For example, if nanoparticles are made from ceramics or glass, they develop completely new talents: ceramics suddenly become transparent, and glass becomes a new adhesive. Without the nanoparticles, MRI would not be able to differentiate between healthy and diseased tissue at such an early stage. “Another important point is that nanoparticles have different chemical and physical properties than larger particles of the same material and composition,” explains IBMT specialist Dr. shower For example, if nanoparticles are made from ceramics or glass, they develop completely new talents: ceramics suddenly become transparent, and glass becomes a new adhesive. Without the nanoparticles, MRI would not be able to differentiate between healthy and diseased tissue at such an early stage. “Another important point is that nanoparticles have different chemical and physical properties than larger particles of the same material and composition,” explains IBMT specialist Dr. shower For example, if nanoparticles are made from ceramics or glass, they develop completely new talents: ceramics suddenly become transparent, and glass becomes a new adhesive.
When using the mini material, there seems to be no limit to the imagination
The Institute for New Materials in Saarbrücken, INM for short, has been working intensively on nanomaterials for a long time. With the biologist Dr. Andreas Jordan from the Berlin Charité, the INM developed another promising approach to cancer therapy, specifically aimed at prostate cancer and very aggressive brain tumors (glioblastoma). In this case, the nanoparticles, which have been approved since the beginning of the year, serve as a heat source: the doctors inject a fluid containing iron-containing particles directly into the tumor tissue. An alternating electromagnetic field makes them vibrate and heats them up to 70 degrees – the cancer cells melt like ice in the sun. Russian researchers presented a similar principle in March at the largest cardiology congress in the USA: Using a near-infrared laser, they heated nanoparticles made of silicon and gold to 50 to 150 degrees and were thus able to blast away deposits in blood vessels, so-called plaques. The affected vein remained completely intact, and even a year later the blood was still able to flow through it unhindered. International research groups are currently testing whether copper or magnetite particles behave in the same way.
In the case of so-called drug delivery systems, we are already several steps ahead. The atomic building blocks are put together in such a way that a kind of container for drugs is created. Ten such “nanopills” have already been approved and can be used to treat fungal, viral and tumor diseases, among other things. The particles accumulate in the target locations and release active ingredients that they have piggybacked on. An anti-Alzheimer therapy, which the European research project “NanoBrain” is working on, should work in a similar way in the future. Under the direction of the Institute for Physiological Chemistry at the University of Mainz, scientists in five EU countries want to design nanostructures that transport protective substances against Alzheimer’s into the brain. In doing so, they use another special property of the nanos: They are so small that that they can cross the blood-brain barrier, which is insurmountable for many drugs. “Bringing medicines to where they are needed is, of course, huge progress,” says nano specialist Dr. shower Side effects could be significantly reduced in this way.
Dentures and hip joints – good today, even better tomorrow thanks to nano
Dentures and hip joints – good today, even better tomorrow thanks to nano
Materials used in medicine also benefit from nanotechnology, such as artificial joints or implants. Today, after 15 years at the latest, a replacement knee or hip must be replaced. Oral surgeons often find that the body rejects the artificial teeth. Two problems that nanotechnology should soon solve. “New surface coatings and materials can help to improve compatibility and durability,” says Dr. shower Studies show that nano-coated implants have a significantly longer service life. They are harder, more stable and adhere better to the tissue. The interaction with the bone cells also improves. Of course, given such results, many scientists are still dreaming of completely different possibilities. They want to combine the two currently “hottest” research fields – nanotechnology and stem cell research: new bones, new skin and nerve cells, blind people could see again, paraplegics could walk. Australian researchers are already developing a three-dimensional structure made of nanoparticles, on which new nerve fibers are to be entwined in the long term like ivy on house walls. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, paraplegia – millions of patients and doctors around the world are urgently waiting for this technology. where new nerve fibers are supposed to climb along the long term like ivy on house walls. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, paraplegia – millions of patients and doctors around the world are urgently waiting for this technology. where new nerve fibers are supposed to climb along the long term like ivy on house walls. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, paraplegia – millions of patients and doctors around the world are urgently waiting for this technology.
Together with stem cell research, many more possibilities open up
So while nanomedicine will continue to develop rapidly in the next few years, the dwarfs are already part of everyday life in other areas. Whether mobile phones, car paint, eyeglass lenses, sun blockers, ketchup or clothing – nanotechnology is in more than 1000 products. However, so far there is no uniform guideline that regulates how the brave new nano world has to be described on the packaging. It is also very unclear what happens to nanoparticles in the body. A current report by the Federal Environment Agency therefore warns against overly careless handling of nanoproducts as long as nobody is aware of the risks for humans and the environment. “You just don’t know enough about the consequences. Presumably, some nanoparticles do cause damage,” admits Dr. Claus shower on. metal particles, When inhaled, carbon or organic compounds can penetrate into the smallest alveoli and lead to inflammation there. Some get into the bloodstream and could reach every organ. So what? The first animal experiments dampen the general nano euphoria considerably, because they prove that the home-made molecules sometimes penetrate into the cell nucleus and damage the genetic information stored there, the DNA. Nanos made of carbon are suspected of causing diseases similar to those caused by the building material asbestos, which has been banned since 1993. The self-made molecules sometimes penetrate into the cell nucleus and damage the genetic information stored there, the DNA. Nanos made of carbon are suspected of causing diseases similar to those caused by the building material asbestos, which has been banned since 1993. The self-made molecules sometimes penetrate into the cell nucleus and damage the genetic information stored there, the DNA. Nanos made of carbon are suspected of causing diseases similar to those caused by the building material asbestos, which has been banned since 1993.
Everything great in the nano range? Serious experts curb the euphoria
dr Claus Duschl also emphasizes: “Especially for medicine, it is important to understand how nanoparticles interact with the organism, how they are absorbed and finally excreted. And to clarify what that means in the long term.” The vast majority of nanoscientists agree. Instead of euphoria and cinematic dreams, critical caution and great care prevail in the laboratories. Almost as much money as is put into the development of new nanos goes into research into their possible dangers. As with the use of atomic energy since the 1950s, nanomedicine is once again advancing into an invisible world that offers fascinating opportunities – but which one must also be able to control at all times.
A look into the nano world
A look into the nano world
Nanoscientists study tiny structures made up of atoms or molecules. Their size is measured in nanometers, or nm for short . A nanometer is one millionth of a millimeter. Nanoparticles can be made from almost any material. This is achieved with the help of different processes, such as so-called nano -embossing lithography , in which the dwarf particles are worked out of the base material with a kind of stamp. Or they become electrospinninggenerated: An electric field splits the finest fibers; these are deposited as nanofibers like a fleece on an electrode. There they can be removed and reused. The number of applications in the field of medicine has increased at an ever faster rate in recent years. Experts see a global market potential of more than 2600 billion US dollars by 2014.
ADDRESSES & TIPS
Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with a lot of information about technology as well as opportunities and risks. The tour dates of the so-called Nano-Truck, a high-tech vehicle that presents the sensational particle cosmos in various cities throughout Germany, are also available here.
Which materials are used and for which applications? The Fraunhofer Society provides information on what nanoparticles can do.
