title: Nanomedicine--challenge and perspectives.
abstract: The application of nanotechnology concepts to medicine joins two large cross-disciplinary fields with an unprecedented societal and economical potential arising from the natural combination of specific achievements in the respective fields. The common basis evolves from the molecular-scale properties relevant to the two fields. Local probes and molecular imaging techniques allow surface and interface properties to be characterized on a nanometer scale at predefined locations, while chemical approaches offer the opportunity to elaborate and address surfaces, for example, for targeted drug delivery, enhanced biocompatibility, and neuroprosthetic purposes. However, concerns arise in this cross-disciplinary area about toxicological aspects and ethical implications. This Review gives an overview of selected recent developments and applications of nanomedicine.
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology und Physikalisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Strasse 10, 48149 Münster, Germany. k.riehemann@uni-muenster.de
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Riehemann
authors.forename: Stefan W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Luger
authors.forename: Biana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Godin
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fuchs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D064907:Diagnostic Uses of Chemicals; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D064907:Diagnostic Uses of Chemicals; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations