title: [The birth of nanobiotechnologies: new nanomaterials, potential uses, toxic effects and implications for public health].
abstract: Nanotechnologies hold considerable promise of advances in many sectors especially the biomedical field, since the materials used are of the appropriate dimensions to interact with important biological matter such as proteins, DNA and viruses. In this field the use of nanotechnologies will probably be second in importance only to biotechnologies. However many characteristics of nanomaterials that make them so promising from a technological point of view may also lead to negative effects on the environment and human health. It is important therefore that the environmental and work-related exposure effects to these materials be evaluated. In this article the potential uses, toxic effects and public health implications of nanobiotechnologies are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Facoltà di Medicina, Università di Roma Tor Vergata.
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Petrinca
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pietroiusti
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Argentin
authors.forename: Rosadele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cicchetti
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donia
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gabrieli
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vignoli
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magrini
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Divizia
mesh_terms: D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000187:drug effects; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000639:trends; D011634:Public Health; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects