In the last years new scientific knowledge and technological developments derived from the Human Genome Project have been affecting the way in which biomedical research and clinical practice is carried out. This fact has had a profound impact in the current scope and definition of the“biomedical informatics” discipline. The big “genomic wave” boosted efforts in the medical informatics community...

Since its conception, nanotechnology has gained substantial momentum and transformed nearly every fi eld of science and technology. In the fi eld of nanomedicine, a variety of nanobiomaterials have been developed as unique platforms to detect and deliver therapeutic agents in the treatment ofl ife-threatening diseases.A brief review of recent publications reveals that these therapeutic platform...

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) presents a major obstacle to the treatment of malignant brain tumors and other central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The Eleventh Annual Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption Consortium Meeting was convened to discuss recent advances and future directions in imaging and nanomedicine. Two sessions, one on Cell and Molecular Imaging in the CNS and another on Nanotechnology...

Thromboembolic diseases constitute a plague in our century, wherein an imbalance of hemostasis leads to thrombus formation and vessels constriction reducing blood flow. Hence, the recent rise of nanomedicine gives birth to advanced diagnostic modalities and therapeutic agents for the early diagnosis and treatment of such diseases. Multimodal nanoagents for the detection of intravascular thrombi...

One of the 21st century's most promising technologies is nanotechnology. Nanomedicine, an offshoot of nanotechnology, refers to highly specific medical intervention at the molecular scale for curing disease or repairing damaged tissues, such as bone, muscle, or nerve. Nanotechnology is a collective term referring to technological developments on the nanometer scale, usually 0.1-100 nm. A nanome...

Born from the marriage of nanotechnology and medicine, nanomedicine is set to bring advantages in the fight against unmet diseases. The field is recognized as a global challenge, and countless worldwide research and business initiatives are in place to obtain a significant market position. However, nanomedicine belongs to those emerging sectors in which business development methods have not bee...

While the blood vessel is seldom the target tissue, almost all nanomedicine will interact with blood vessels and blood at some point of time along its life cycle in the human body regardless of their intended destination. Despite its importance, many bionanotechnologists do not feature endothelial cells (ECs), the blood vessel cells, or consider blood effects in their studies. Including blood v...

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in children, usually occurring during fetal development; before, during, or shortly after birth, or during infancy. CP takes place in about 2.1 per 1,000 live births .There is no exact reason but birth injury or inflammation of the central nervous system, infections and hypoxia are related risk factors of this disease. Often, symptoms incl...

As the scope of nanotechnology applications in medicine evolves, it is important to simultaneously recognize and advance contributions germane to public health. A wide range of innovations in nanomedicine stand to impact nearly every medical specialty and unveil novel ways to improve the quality and extend the duration of life - these gains can be measured at both individual and population leve...

Speakers presenting at NanoBiotech 2008 (http://www. alumni.rpi.edu/nanobio2008.html) focused on innovations in nanomedicine and applications of nanotechnology to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. While exploring some of the cutting-edge research efforts globally underway, the presenters highlighted the urgent need for vigilance with regard to toxicity. Ethical issues were also e...