Nanobiotechnology involves manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular levels using biological systems. It combines nanotechnology and biotechnology through a bottom-up approach. Important milestones include the development of the scanning tunneling microscope in 1981 and atomic force microscope in 1986, which enabled imaging at the atomic level. Nanobiotechnology has various applications including molecular motors that use energy to transport molecules, self-assembled nanostructures, quantum dots for fluorescent imaging, nanomedicine for targeted drug delivery, and gold nanoparticles for sensing and diagnostics. While it has advantages for medical applications, there are also disadvantages like potential safety issues from inhalation of nanoparticles and possibility of developing new bioweapons.
2. Introduction
• Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on atomic and molecular
level (extremely small things).
• It involves in the ability to see and control the individual atoms and
molecules.
• It has ability to design systems with defined structure and function on the
nanometer scale.
• Deals with the interdisciplinary areas :
Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Material science, Electronics,
Chemical Engineering, Information technology
• The size of the thing in nano scale is measured by nanometer (nm).
• 1nm = 10−9
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1981 - Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) at
the Zurich Research Laboratory (surface imaging in
atomic level)
1986 - Nanobiotechnology was initiated by the
development of AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) that
enables imaging at atomic level.
1959 - Richard Feynman described a process in w
hich we would be able to manipulate and control indi
vidual atoms and molecules.
Important Milestones
AFM
STM
Father of nanotechnology
Richard Feynman
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Fundamental Concepts
Two main approaches are used in
nanotechnology.
1. Top down approach refers to slicing or
successive cutting of a bulk material to get nano
sized particle.
Example - Computer HDD, and CD and DVD,
Computer Chips (Thin layer of silver or gold nano
particles)
2. Bottom up approach refers to the build up of
a material from the bottom
Example - All cells use enzymes to produce DNA
by taking the component molecules by chemical
synthesis, self-assembly, and molecular fabrication
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• Nanobiotechnology – Combination of two disciplines i.e Nanotechnology &
Biotechnology.
• Integration of nano-sized materials, nano-scale analytical tools, and nano-
devices into biological sciences for development of new biomaterials and
analytical toolkits.
• It is a bottom up approach as biological systems built up from the
molecular level.
• Bio-molecules used in nanobiotechhnology
- Proteins, DNA, RNA, Peptides etc.
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Major Applications Of Nanobiotechnology
1. Molecular Motor And Devices :-
Assembly of a discrete number of molecular components design to
perform molecular movement as a consequence of external stimulus.
Example – ATP Synthase (makes ATP) from ADP and ip.
Outer side of cell membrane
ATP Synthase
Conclusion:
Energy released by
the rotor movement of
the ATP Synthase
enzyme is utilised to
form ATP.
Lipid Bilayer
H+ H+
H+ H+
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Applications Of Molecular Motor
Strategies to use molecular motors to actively transport DNA to the
nucleus.
(A) The protein was consisted of a Ncd (attached to the microtubule) and a
DNA-binding domain GAL4.
(B) A bimolecular adaptor for retrograde transport (BART) was linked
covalently with DNA and helps transport of DNA along microtubules.
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2. Self Assembled Structure (Nano Assemblies)
Spontaneous organization of individual elements into ordered structures.
It is a fabrication tool where the engineering principles are adopted to
design structures.
Example –
The type IV pilus
of Psuedomonas aeruginosa
is a protein.
Adherence and interactions with
cellular receptors to adopt a new
application.
(A model of fibril-mediated assembly)
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3. Quantum Dots
• Quantum dots (QDs), tiny light-
emitting particles.
• 2-10nm in diameter
• New class of fluorescent probe
for in vivo bimolecular and
cellular imaging.
• When illuminated with
ultraviolet light, they emit a wide
spectrum of bright colours
that can be used to locate specific
kinds of cells in a biological
system.
QDs
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• Polymer encapsulated
Quantum Dots are
essentially nontoxic to cells
.
• Bio conjugated Quantum
Dots have raised new
possibilities for sensitive
imaging of molecular
targets in living cells.
4. In Vivo Cell Imaging concept
11. Quantum Dot Injection
Red Quantum Dot locating a tumor in a live mouse
Live Cell Imaging :
In UV Light
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Application of In vivo cell imaging
Tumor infected cells
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5. Nano Medicine
It is defined as the use of nanobiotechnology in medical science.
Therapy
Applications :-
Nanoparticles deliver drugs to specific
types of cells (i.e cancer cells).
Polymer of nanoparticles coated
with Red blood cell membrane
absorbs toxins from the
bloodstream.
Carbon nanotubes can be
injected under the skin to monitor
the level of nitric oxide in the
bloodstream.
Nanorobots are being used to
analyse and repair specific
diseased cells.
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6. Gold Nano Particles
These are being used as it emits colours with
interaction with visible light.
The optical and electronic properties of gold
nanoparticles can be manipulated by changing
the size, shape, surface chemistry of the
particles.
Applications :-
Sensors - Colorimetric sensor based on
gold nanoparticles can identify if foods are
suitable for consumption.
Diagnostics - Gold nanoparticles are also
used to detect biomarkers in the diagnosis of
heart diseases and cancers.
PEGDMA -
Poly (ethylene glycol
methacrylate) shell
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Advantages
• Quantum dots enhance biological
imaging for medical diagnostics.
Example -(Atherosclerosis)
• Gold nanoparticles can identify
whether the food stuff is consumable
or not.
• Nanoparticles serve as a platform
for targeting to cancer cells or any
disease affected cells.
Disadvantages
•Atomic weapon mechanism
becomes more accessible with
nanobiotechnology to produce
biowepons.
• Since nanoparticles are very small,
problems can actually arise from the
inhalation of these minute particles.
• It is quite Expensive.
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• Nanobiotechnology is a part of any nation’s future. Research in this
field has extremely high potential to give benefits to the society.
• Innovations such as drug delivery systems in the medicinal field are
only the beginnings of taking new challenges.
• If everything runs smoothly, nanobiotechnology will, one day,
become an important part of our everyday life.
Conclusion