GoingToMeet

Nanotechnology has the potential to have a revolutionary impact on modern medicine, not only through the development of novel diagnosis and imaging methods, but also through targeted therapies. It is universally accepted that early detection of disease is essential even before anatomic anomalies are visible. A major challenge in diagnostics in the 21st century is to be able to determine the exact relationship between biomarkers and the clinical pathology, as well as, to be able to non-invasively detect diseases at an early stage for maximum therapeutic benefit.

Imaging, a critically important tool in life sciences is benefiting from the advances in the development of nano scale particles and systems that improve and extend the capabilities of imaging techniques. These include novel contrast agents, quantum dot markers, engineered ligands, and smart particles that enable imaging down to the cellular, and molecular scales with higher selectivity and signals that previously possible.

In future nano medical therapy, targeting and localized delivery are the key challenges. To wage an effective war against disease, we have to have the ability to selectively target the diseased cells, while saving the normal tissue from excessive burdens of drug toxicity. However, because many drugs are systemic in the delivery, the distribution of drugs in healthy organs or tissues is especially undesirable due to the potential for side effects. Consequently, systemic application of these drugs often causes severe side effects in other tissues (e.g. cardiomyopathy, neurotoxicity), which greatly limits the maximal allowable dose of the drug.

This symposium will address the potential ways in which nanotechnology can address these challenges. Distinguished speakers will summarize the current state of the art and future barriers.