Nanomedicine and the Cardiovascular System

Ross J. Hunter, Victor R. Preedy , eds. 476 pages. Enfield, NH: Science Publishers, 2012. $149.95. ISBN: 978-1-57808-726-6 Nanotechnology is having a rapidly expanding impact on all walks of life, including biology and medicine. At the basic end of the biological spectrum, nanotechnology tools such as atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers, and nanoparticle-based reporters provide unique insight into biological processes. At the clinical end of the spectrum, nanotechnology provides novel opportunities for a wide range of applications, including drug and nucleic acid delivery, diagnostic imaging, regenerative medicine, and in vitro diagnostics. Searching http://www.clinicaltrials.gov for the term nanoparticle reveals >100 studies, and more trials can be found using additional nanotechnology search terms. The majority of trials are in the oncology arena using nanoparticles as therapeutic delivery vehicles, but other trials include a broad range of diseases and applications, including cardiovascular, dental, multiple sclerosis and diabetes mellitus applications, wound dressings, antibacterial hand gels, and eye drops. This multi-author book addressing the application of nanotechnology to the cardiovascular system is thus timely, given the rapid growth in biological and medical application of nanotechnology. The book is part of a series, Nanoscience Applied to Health and Medicine, covering various clinical …