Abstract
The chapter deals with the definition of nanotechnology and nanomedicine, with main area of applications and specifies the benefits of introducing nanotechnological specific methods in the investigation and treatment of certain diseases. The main categories of metal nanoparticles, their use as imaging agents, their advantages and limits are presented in separate paragraphs. Finally, toxicological aspects are discussed.
Keywords: Nanotechnology, nanomedicine, nanobiotechnology, nanoparticles, polymer therapeutics, drug delivery systems, regenerative medicine, magnetic resonance imagined-MRI, superparamagnetic ironoxide-SPIO, gold nanoparticle, enhanced permeability and retention-EPR effect, Gd-DOTA, neutron capture therapy, PAMAM-dendrimer, quantum dots, bioconjugates, tumor targeting, biofunctionalization, oligonucleotide, toxicological hazard.