advances in the less invasive areas of medicine. NEMs have helped bring regenerative medicine closer to commercial use. A research paper defines this subject and its goals as follows: “the study of [the] application of nanomaterials or devices on damaged tissues or organs, aiming to promote tissue regeneration and repair with minimal scar and maximal function after injury.”2 As shown in image 2,8 three directions utilize nanotechnology, whether in conjunction with each other or separately, to achieve cell regeneration. Practical applications for this method are stated in a research paper that says, “In tissue engineering applications, magnetic force has been used to successfully manipulate iron oxide nanoparticles labeled cells in culture to create 3D tissue arrangements, including 3D small-diameter vascular grafts with three layers of cells containing iron oxide nanoparticles (endothelial, smooth muscle, and fibroblast cell layers).”9 These three methods, shown above, help heal various kinds of tissue ranging from bone to skin. Cells require various forms of support to live; conventional tissue engineering methods encounter issues with supplying these needs. With the advantage of nanonetworks and computational modeling, using scaffolds provides passageways for oxygen delivery to the tissue. The passageways are similar in structure to natural blood vessels.10 One of the most damaged organs in our bodies is our skin. The current process with wound treatment is to prevent infection and provide support in the body’s natural process of healing that wound. However, there are more sophisticated forms of treatment for complex wounds. “[S]tem cell therapy, gene therapy, photothermal and photodynamic therapy, [sic] are playing an increasingly vital role in some complicated wound treatment.”11 Nanotech solutions for wound treatment are still currently in development. Researchers are working on a nanodrug delivery system to improve the healing process. Image 3 shows the components of that system.11 Liposomes serve as a carrier for treatment. They are hydrophobic and provide some resistance to being absorbed by the body and water. Polymeric nanoparticles protect the traveling drugs from degradation and help in the controlled release of the drugs. Inorganic nanoparticles such as silver are used as antimicrobial agents. Lipid nanoparticles also contribute to the controlled release of medication. As mentioned previously, nanofibrous structures or scaffolds allow proper nutrition to reach cells. Finally, the nanohydrogel provides fluid for the repair area so that dehydration doesn’t take effect. The culmination of all Image 2 Image 3 52
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