Nanocarriers, nano diagnostic kits to revolutionise medicine industry

The Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), in a revolutionary move, has ventured into new spaces in Nanomedicine.

The institute is now developing nanocarriers that can conjugate into existing or newly developed medicine which can carry the medicine to the correct organ in the body to treat the ailment better, Thushara Vajira Perera, Director SLINTEC, told the Business Times.

Nanomedicine is the field of science that deals with organic applications of medicine at the nano-scale level. It primarily addresses finding, anticipating, and treating sickness, as well as using nanotechnology to assist in controlling human frameworks at the cellular level.

Mr. Perera explained that SLINTEC is exploring the use of nanotechnology in drug delivery systems. By utilising nanocarriers, drugs can be more efficiently delivered to their intended targets within the body, minimising side effects and increasing the overall effectiveness of the treatment. This could have a significant impact on the treatment of diseases like cancer, where targeted therapy is crucial.

Overall, SLINTEC's focus on coupling nanobiotechnology with medicinal molecules has the potential to revolutionise the treatment and diagnosis of non-communicable diseases, leading to improved patient outcomes and a better understanding of these complex conditions. “Most medicines don't agree with certain people. This is due to the generic disposition and the medicines don't reach the site of the infection or the disease. With the nanocarriers, we aim to trick the body by coupling small nano molecules to be taken forward to the diseased cells. This can be a targeted therapy for cancer, diabetes, and arthritis,” Mr Perera said.

SLINTEC has also cottoned on to developing diagnostic kits using nanobiotechnology.

These diagnostic kits would use nano sensors and nanomaterials to detect and analyse biomarkers in the body that may indicate the presence of a disease or infection. This technology could potentially revolutionise the field of diagnostics, allowing for earlier and more accurate detection of diseases, and leading to better treatment outcomes.