Polymer-based Nanostructures Medical Applications [Hardcover]

This book offers a truly interdisciplinary perspective on polymer-based nanometre-sized macrostructures and their use in biology and medicine, with a special concentration on diagnostic and therapeutic applications. A summary of the necessary steps leading to the development and application of a complex-based nanostructure is provided as well as reviews of the main literature in areas covered. The content of the book has high clinical and practical significance and offers a broad overview of this rapidly growing field. The interdisciplinary nature of this title will make it of interest to polymer chemists, pharmacologists, biologists and clinicians alike.Summarises the recent knowledge in this field and presents successful applications of polymer-based supramolecular nanometre-sized structures in medicine - both in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.Nanotechnology is about small things and medicine usually deals with bigger things - with patients and their diseases. The ultimate goal of all medical sciences is the healing of diseases whenever possible, otherwise the abatement of suffering. The first step of a successful medical treatment is the correct diagnosis of the disease or disease condition, based on clinical knowledge and experience and on diagnostic tools that give insight into macroscopic, microscopic, and biochemical properties of the disease process. Nanomaterials can improve currently available diagnostic applications in medicine and especially polymer-based nanostructures have an enormous potential to revolutionize the way how clinicians diagnose diseases correctly and efficiently. The second step when treating patients is a powerful and specific therapy that is low in side effects, that can prolong the survival of the patient or that can lower the burden of the disease. Again, polymer-based nanostructures are very promising novel tools that might change the way how certain diseases are being treated. This book combines both viewpoints and presentlÃu