Medical applications of nanotechnology

In the true spirit of interdisciplinary expansion of scientific knowledge, results from the applicability of nanotechnology in the fields of physical sciences and chemistry have now matured enough to extend into biology and medicine. The advances in nanotechnology in the past decade have offered novel opportunities for sensing clinically relevant markers, molecular dsease imaging and tools for therapeutic intervention, which have a potential to transform the field of medicine. We describe the currently available components of the nano-toolbox, which are likely to be incorporated in clinical practice in the forseeable future. These include nanowires, cantilevers and nanopores for sensing, naoparticles and quantum dots for molecular imaging and nanoparticles for therapy. We also discuss the issue of toxicity of these nanomaterials and other limitations in the application of nanotechnology to medicine.