Table 3.

Potential applications for nanotechnologies in drug delivery [69].

Material/technique	Characteristics	Medical applications
Ligands attached to nanoparticles	Surface modification with functional groups High degree of engineering precision Control the size of the nanoparticles	Labeling, tracing and imaging Sensing and detection Recognition and attachment to damaged or diseased tissue followed by release of therapeutic compound
Quantum dots	Emit different wavelengths over abroad range of the light spectrum from visible to infrared, depending on their size and chemical composition Influence the fluorescence properties of the particles	Fluorescent probes Detection and targeting
Nanocapsules	Consists of a shell and a space Can be made in specific sizes, shapes, and in reasonable quantities Control the release of substances or protect them from the environment Higher safety and efficacy Evasion of the host immune system and delivery of therapeutic agent to target sites	Slowly release loading drugs Lipid nanocapsules as nanocarriers e.g. Buckyball-based treatment for AIDS
Nanoporous materials	Ability of nanopores of certain sizes to let some substances pass and others not, or to force molecules	Nanoporous membranes for molecules like DNA and RNA Can be coupled to sensors or used for drug-delivering implants
Polymers	Allow for judicious selection for targeting and delivery Can be used to improve the function of the nanoparticle High degree of engineering precision	Drug carrying devices or implants Combining multi-modal therapy and imaging
Sorting biomolecules and precise sorting	Nanopores capable of rapid and precise sorting	Gene analysis and sequencing