Nanotechnology in Therapeutics

Nanotechnology in Therapeutics

Comprehensive reference delivering a framework to develop and assess nanosystems that provide unique advantages in biomedical applications

Nanotechnology in Therapeutics explores the idea that by studying in depth the behavior of living organisms, especially the functionality of their cell membranes, we can develop and evaluate innovative bio-inspired nanosystems that are able to deliver small molecules, biomolecules like proteins, peptides, and other genetic material in terms of the production of new therapies and vaccines. The main concept promoted in this book is an integrated approach for producing new medicines following the nanotoxicity, biotoxicity, regulatory, and ethical guidelines, which are also covered in the book.

The book is divided into three parts. Part A provides an introduction and a historical overview of nanotechnology. Part B delves deeper into issues relating to lipid and polymeric nanostructures in medicine. Part C presents the regulatory landscape around nanotechnology and nanomedicine, while highlighting the need to keep an eye on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Overall, this book opens up biomedical applications for previously challenging drugs and drug targets.

Written by a highly qualified professor with significant pertinent research experience, Nanotechnology in Therapeutics includes discussion on:

• Eukaryotic cell membranes, their structural properties, and the thermodynamic payload of their lipid bilayers
• The DLVO (Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeek) theory as a scientific tool for studying the stability and the behavior of nanoparticles
• Liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles, as well as polymeric nanoparticles, like micelles, polymersomes, and dendrimers
• Issues in the approval process of nanomedicines by the regulatory agencies, such as complexity, chaos, and nonlinear dynamics

With comprehensive coverage of novel concepts that have the potential to transform how new medicines are designed and developed, Nanotechnology in Therapeutics is an essential resource on the subject for chemists in industry, as well as biomedical and pharmaceutical engineers.

Costas Demetzos is Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Currently, Prof. Demetzos serves as Director of the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, and since 2008 he serves as President of the Hellenic Pharmaceutical Society (HPS). His research interests include pharmaceutical nanotechnology, nanomedicine, and thermodynamics.