title: Nanomedicine: application areas and development prospects.
abstract: Nanotechnology, along with related concepts such as nanomaterials, nanostructures and nanoparticles, has become a priority area for scientific research and technological development. Nanotechnology, i.e., the creation and utilization of materials and devices at nanometer scale, already has multiple applications in electronics and other fields. However, the greatest expectations are for its application in biotechnology and health, with the direct impact these could have on the quality of health in future societies. The emerging discipline of nanomedicine brings nanotechnology and medicine together in order to develop novel therapies and improve existing treatments. In nanomedicine, atoms and molecules are manipulated to produce nanostructures of the same size as biomolecules for interaction with human cells. This procedure offers a range of new solutions for diagnoses and "smart" treatments by stimulating the body's own repair mechanisms. It will enhance the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cardiovascular diseases. Preventive medicine may then become a reality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain; E-Mails: pablo.alvarez.exts@juntadeandalucia.es (P.J.A.); alrari80@gmail.com (A.R.); jmarchal@ugr.es (J.A.M.); jcpradois@ugr.es (J.P.); fernrs@ugr.es (F.R.-S.); melguizo@ugr.es (C.M.).
authors.forename: Houria
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boulaiz
authors.forename: Pablo J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Marchal
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prados
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Serrano
authors.forename: Macarena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perán
authors.forename: Consolación
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Melguizo
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aranega
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D008081:Liposomes; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D008823:Micelles; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D050091:Dendrimers; D008081:Liposomes; D008823:Micelles; D006046:Gold