Scientific Sessions

Nanomedicine is a rapidly evolving field that applies nanotechnology to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. By working at the nanoscale (1–100 nanometers), scientists can design materials and devices with unique physical, chemical, and biological properties that are not observed at larger scales. These properties enable improved interaction with biological systems at the molecular level. In medical applications, nanomedicine offers enhanced imaging, targeted therapy, and regenerative medicine approaches. One of its most transformative roles is in oncology, where nanoparticles can be engineered to selectively target cancer cells, minimizing harm to healthy tissues. Similarly, nanomedicine is advancing the treatment of neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and infectious diseases by enabling site-specific delivery of therapeutics and controlled release over time. Furthermore, nanotechnology-based diagnostic tools provide high sensitivity and rapid detection of biomarkers, which supports early disease diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.

Drug delivery systems within nanomedicine focus on improving the efficiency, safety, and precision of therapeutic agents. Traditional drug administration often faces challenges such as poor solubility, limited bioavailability, and off-target effects. Nanocarriers—such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and solid lipid nanoparticles—overcome these limitations by protecting drugs from degradation, enhancing their solubility, and enabling controlled release profiles. Moreover, functionalization of nanocarriers with ligands, antibodies, or aptamers allows active targeting to specific cells or tissues, reducing systemic toxicity and enhancing therapeutic outcomes. For example, in cancer treatment, nanoparticles can be designed to exploit the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect of tumor vasculature, delivering chemotherapeutics directly to tumor sites. Stimuli-responsive systems, triggered by changes in pH, temperature, or enzymes, further improve precision in drug release. The integration of nanomedicine and advanced drug delivery systems is paving the way toward personalized medicine, where therapies are tailored to the unique genetic and pathological profiles of patients, ultimately improving efficacy and reducing side effects.