Nanotechnology in India: All you need to know

Nanotechnology is fast becoming a popular field to do research and development in. This is because the technology has applications in various fields, from medicine and healthcare to textiles. Nanotechnology works with ‘nano’-structures, that is, structures of sizes between 0.1 to 100 nm.

In healthcare, nanotech has the power to improve drug delivery systems and other health-related products. It works with the natural nanoscale to deliver better healthcare results, with fewer risks and side effects, all in a shorter period.

The super-fine instruments, minimally invasive procedures, and more efficient drug delivery systems used in nanomedicine can reduce the risk associated with invasive procedures. Nanotechnology also uses cardiac care, cancer care, treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and others. Nanotechnology’s application in medicine and pharmaceuticals has revolutionised the twentieth century, and it is hoped that this continues. There is now a demand, world over, for long-lasting biodegradable implants that also enable tissue restoration, possible through nanotechnology.

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How far can nanotechnology go?

Nanomedicine can be applied for targeted drug delivery, in-vitro diagnostics, smart and multi-functional biomaterials, and imaging and active implants, according to Dr. A. N. Mitra, one of the leading nanotechnology researchers in India. Though there are several products and applications, only a few have been launched in the market.

For example, nanotechnology-based chemotherapy was recently introduced in the Indian market. Additionally, a nanotechnology-enabled polymer-free drug-eluting stent system has been identified as a means of treatment for cardiac diseases. This drug is called Sirolimus, and it has shown favourable results in small clinical trials by significantly reducing the chances of recurring blockages in the arteries.

Nanotechnology can reduce the time to do tests on blood and other fluids in diagnostic medicine by reducing the number of times a sample is taken. Nanopharmaceuticals can also be used to detect diseases at an earlier stage. Additionally, with nanotechnology, certain microorganisms can be identified, which is impossible through other tests. All this also reduces the cost of treatments to a great deal.

Creation of The Indian Society of NanoMedicine

The Indian Society of NanoMedicine was created by various doctors, engineers and nanotechnology researchers from several premier institutions in India getting together. This was done to reduce costs, provide customised treatment and improve diagnostic tests all over the country. A significant area that this committee is going to focus on is cancer care. They are trying to find methods to destroy cancerous cells without killing the normal ones- unlike in chemotherapy- and at a much lower cost.

The reduced costs are due to the dosage of nano drugs reducing from milligram to nanogram. This will also have fewer side effects on the patient. The application of nanotechnology in the field of medical science is expected to bring a revolution. Such a technology, supported by a suitable mode of finance like a business loan for doctors, will make it accessible and improve the condition of healthcare in India, reducing its costs.

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