Originally published in The Nano Newswire
Nanotechnology researchers in Boston at the Center for
Regenerative Therapeutics at Brigham and Women's Hospital,
known as ReGen Rx, have successfully engineered sensors onto the surface of individual
biological cells using nanotechnology.
The implications of this technology is limitless. To start, the
technology could be used to have a greater understanding of the
interaction of individual cells with each other and foreign
substances, such as drugs. Previously, scientists have only been
able to examine the interactions of a large number of cells in an
organ to investigate what happens with drug interactions. The
ability to monitor communications and signaling between individual
cells will allow scientists to gain greater insight into the human
body and how it works. The end result could be advances in the
development of new drugs and medical diagnostics.
The technology is in its infancy, but once it starts to be used in
everyday applications a wide range of issues could arise. As new
diagnostic procedures and drugs are created, health insurance
companies will need to evaluate and consider whether to provide
coverage for these medical advances.
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