Nanoparticles and their Conjugates for Biomedical Applications

The rapid developments in nanostructured materials and nanotechnology will have a profound impact in many areas of biomedical applications including delivery of drugs and biomolecules, tissue engineering, detection of biomarkers, cancer diagnosis, cancer therapy, and imaging. This field is expanding fast, and a lot of work is in progress in terms of design, characterisation, synthesis, and application of materials, for controlling shape and size at nanometer scale to develop highly advanced materials for biomedical application and even to design better pharmaceutical products. In recent years, specific attempts have been made to acquire multi-functional nanostructures that could possibly solve the plethora of issues and voids often encountered in both medicinal and biological researches. This book, comprising six chapters, emphasises the practical implementation of few well-known as well as advanced nanostructured materials for the betterment of human health and diagnostic tools. Each chapter emphasises a single aspect of the nanostructures in broader context, providing a brief history, current status, and emerging trends in the same field. In Chapter 1, authors have provided a detailed account of the implementation of nanostructures in the sensing of several key biomolecules, which can detect the well-being of both internal and external structures of the human body. Chapter 2 presents a brief analysis of the current therapeutics focusing on their viability and shortcomings, and addressing the same through the implementation of nanotechnology. Chapter 3 encompasses the challenges in the field of cell-imaging and detection of biomarkers. Authors have provided a vivid explanation regarding the solution of such challenges through designing and functionalisation of several metallic nanoparticles including quantum dots. In Chapter 4, a brief account of the application of nanostructures in the area of tissue engineering and magnetic resonance imaging has been discussed. In Chapter 5, nanomedicines have been introduced by the authors as an advanced diagnostic and therapeutic option as compared to the traditionally available solutions for oral cancer treatment. Finally, Chapter 6 discusses the application of nanotechnology (both organic and inorganic nanoparticles) in restorative dentistry. Also, possible biocompatibility and toxicity of the nanostructures have been discussed so as to streamline the process of selection of suitable tooth implants and oral cleansing techniques.