Nanoapplications – From geckos to human health

Abstract

Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter on a molecular scale, is all around us in our everyday lives. Chocolate, non-dairy creamer, and sunscreen are examples of consumer products with a high content of nanoparticles. Nanotechnology holds great potential for environmental applications like wastewater treatment and nanobionic engineering of plants. Due to their unique and adaptable properties for targeted therapeutic payload delivery, nanoparticles are also emerging as promising tools for innovative pharmaceutical treatment. Nevertheless, licensing regulations specifically for nanomaterials are lacking, and the long-term effects of nanoparticles on both the environment and human health need to be further clarified.

Keywords:

• Nanoparticles
• Nanotechnology
• Medicine
• Gecko
• Titanium dioxide

Acknowledgements

The author thanks nspm ltd, specifically Dr William Archey and Dr Ian Leighton for their support with this article. The author acknowledges Prof. Dhinojwala for his kind permission to use the images of the gecko and synthetic setae, and the working group of Prof. Landfester, specifically PD Dr Mailänder and Dr Dass, for their support on cellular uptake experiments with polymeric nanoparticles.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Simone Lerch

Dr Simone Lerch investigated pH-dependent nanoparticles and nanoparticles of different sizes for cellular applications during her PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany. Since 2012, she has worked as a medical writer for nspm ltd, a medical communications agency located near Lucerne, Switzerland. The beautiful alpine region provides plenty of opportunities for Simone to enjoy climbing, hiking, and skiing.