European researchers leading the way in medical nanoimaging

According to the European Science Foundation (ESF), Europe is amongst the leaders in nanoimaging technologies, which are providing unprecedented abilities to look inside the human body and scan individual cells.

This was one of the major conclusions of a two-year study by the ESF entitled “Scientific Forward Look on Nanomedicine” presented in Brussels on December 15th.

Nanomedicine is the medical application of nanotechnology: the development of devices from single atoms or molecules, which are measured in nanometres. A nanometre is one billionth of a metre. Because of their tiny size, roughly one thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair, these devices have the unprecedented capability to probe and manipulate biological systems on a molecular level.

According to both Professor Ruth Duncan of the University of Cardiff, who chaired the Forward Look report, and Renzo Tomellini of the European Commission on Nanotechnology, nano-scale contrast and imaging agents are already providing exciting new ways to study and diagnose diseases. As an example, Professor Duncan spoke about the work of Andreas Briel at Schering AG Research Laboratories in Germany, who is developing gas-filled microparticles as contrast agents for ultrasound imaging. Two additional nanoimaging agents that improve the sensitivity of existing systems are nano-scale magnetic particles for use in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging and radioisotope-linked nanoparticles for use in positron emission tomography.

Professor Alberto Gabizon of Shaare Zedek Medical Centre and Hebrew University said that such nanoimaging agents are part of a “first generation” of nanoparticles, many of which have already been approved for clinical use. He says that the second generation, which will become available over the next five years, incorporates an antibody or small protein to specifically target nanoparticles to diseased tissues. This provides the possibility to locate diseased tissues with pinpoint accuracy, before they can be detected by conventional methods. Second generation nanoparticles could allow the early detection and, therefore, treatment of tumour metastases and atherosclerotic plaques.

Currently in development is a revolutionary “third generation” of nanoparticles that combine detection agents with targeting molecules, drugs and systems for controlled unloading of particle contents. This generation would allow the same nanoparticles to be used to locate, treat, and trace the disappearance of tumours or other diseased tissue.

Nanoimaging encompasses technologies for improved imaging within the body, and more sensitive systems for visualising individual living cells. Dr. Julie Deacon of the UK Micro and Nanotechnology Network cited the example of recent advances in atomic force microscopy that allow individual cells, and even individual proteins on their surfaces, to be seen. She also explained the great potential of a new system for high-speed monitoring of ion channels created by Sophion Bioscience A/S in Denmark.

New nanoimaging methods are providing new opportunities for drug development because cell surface proteins, which are prime drug targets, are extremely difficult to analyze with existing technologies.

Dr. Deacon summed up these advances, saying, “nanomedicine is a lot about getting closer to the biology.” These new nanomedical tools allow us much closer access to the biology than ever previously thought possible.