While a lot of research news
has been filled with discoveries and ideas about the merits of nanoparticles
for medical research and treatment, the other side of the coin often remains
unexplored. Though medical science stands to gain much through ideas like sticky
nanoparticles, peptide
doped carbon nanotubes, and free
radical-sink carbon nanotubes, not much is yet understood about what
happens when these particles linger about in the interior of our delicate
biological systems.
Mayo Clinic researchers
Virginia M. Miller and John C. Lieske will be leading a symposium on just this
subject. “Using nanotechnology to answer physiological questions” will focus on
the effects, harmful or otherwise, of nanoparticles on the body.
Miller studied the link
between nanoparticles on atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries. She
has found that injecting certain nanoparticles into the blood vessels of
animals can cause inflammation. Inflammation is an early event in the process
of developing atherosclerosis. She is hoping to determine how the interaction
between nanoparticles and cells may lead to the eventual calcification of
vessels.
Lieske's research
concentrates on kidney stones, and how nanoparticle crystals may lead to their
development. Kidney stones begin life as tiny calcifications which build upon
themselves to eventually become what they are. Lieske's idea is that
nanoparticles may be responsible for the initial calcification.
Nanoparticle science is a
relatively new field and a delicate one where it meets with medical science.
Very little is known about the long-term effects of foreign, or even naturally
occurring nanoparticles on the body. Researchers like Miller and Lieske and
their colleagues will no doubt uncover valuable data which will in turn assist
other researchers in making better and possibly safer nano-drugs.
The symposium will be held
April 8th at the Experimental Biology conference in San Diego,
California.