BBC Knowledge Asia Edition 3

nanostructures and existing technology could help us reach

another level of efficiency in computing.”

For now, the goal is to prove nanotechnologies are safe

and effective when used in medicine. As nanomedicines

stay in the body for longer than traditional drugs, there is a

greater risk that they may have lasting unwanted effects.

Those containing certain metals are more likely to be toxic

should they accumulate in the body. If the remaining

hurdles can be overcome, it heralds a new era in smarter

treatments that are tailored to function on ly in par ticular

areas in the body. These targeted treatments have the

potential to make traditional medicines, which act on the

entire body, seem crude in comparison.

The global nanomedicine market is already estimated at

being worth between US$150bn and US$250bn, and will

on ly continue to g row as more treatments are licensed for

use.

Today’s nanomedicines may not look like the submersible

in Innerspace, but they’re arguably far, far smarter. Made

from DNA that can build itself and with biological

molecules as their navigator, they won’t go wrong or get

lost. This tiny technology is coming to a human being near

you – and soon. ß

PHOTOS: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, YONGGANG KE

Computer-

generated

models of 3D

structures that

were created

from DNA

TOM IRELAND IS A FREELANCE SCIENCE WRITER AND ALSO EDITS THE

BIOLOGIST MAGAZINE.

SOME OF THE MOST INTRIGUING NANO DEVICES CURRENTLY BEING RESEARCHED

THE DIMINUTIVE DOCTORS

How it works Target Made from Benefits

A virus injects its own genes into its

host’s cells

Any living

organism

or cell

DNA and protein

Viruses are already used as

nanomachines to deliver

replacement genes into cells,

including those of humans

Chemical reactions make sections

of a nanoparticle move, propelling it

forward

N/A Complex chemicals such as

amino acids or proteins

They could allow bots to move in a

specific direction, or break down

fatty deposits and clots

Can evade the immune system,

which means that the body will not

eliminate them

Tumours Synthetic polymers Can be made into different shapes

for different jobs

When this DNA-based device

recognises a target cell, its two

halves swing open to release a

payload of drugs or other

nanoparticles

Cancer DNA Self-assembles, non-toxic

Type

VIRUS

MOLECULAR

MOTOR

WORM-SHAPED

NANOPARTICLE

DNA

NANOBOT