Nanoparticles Can Target Drugs

Bioengineer Frank Alexis is using nanoparticles to design new ways to improve the targeting of drugs and reduce side effects. The nanoparticles are used to protect the medicine until it has reached the desired destination.

A common problem with oral medications is that the liver breaks them down before they reach the desired destination. Using nanoparticles can protect the medicines, enabling them to last longer, or reach the desired location. The nanoparticles can also prevent the drugs from acting in the wrong part of the body, thus minimizing side effects.

Dendrimers are the most versatile nanoparticles suited to targeted drug delivery. These nanoparticles are useful, since a number of different particles can be attached to them, which could perform a variety of different functions.Targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles could revolutionize drug treatment in the not too distant future.