Semi-conductors have been of immense use in the filed of electronics and computers, and today, slowly their use in the field of medicine is being extended. Dr. Kumar is currently working in the field of medical molecular biology and nanotechnology and has developed a molecular method for diagnoses of the H5NI Influenza Virus (that causes avian flu). This device helps to detect the presence of the avian virus strain using semiconductor-chips. It provides vital data regarding genetic drifts in the virus, presence of mutated viruses, and sub-strains of the virus.
The H5N1 influenza virus is highly contagious in man and can result in huge mortalities. The virus is capable of mutating or changing to other forms quickly and it is important to recognize and detect the virus using sensitive and specific tests. The DNA micro assay test which based on the semiconductors has proved to be effective in detecting the killer virus. The use of the semiconductors has been extended to other fields including genetic studies, cancer therapy, etc (Atlantic Nano Forum, 2006). Ceramic in DNA micro assay – Courtesy: http://www. sciencedaily. com/images/2008/06/080630130134-large. jpg
PET scanner have in the past have been utilized to detect tumors and cancers in the brain. Today, semiconductor detectors have been utilized in cancers, so that the quality and resolution of the PET Image drastically improves. It has been very useful in producing images of various structures of the head and neck present in epilepsy, nasopharyngeal cancer and brain tumors. Scientists are now considering utilizing the technology for detecting other types of cancers, cardiovascular disorders, and nerve disorders.
They could also play an important role in the monitoring of the patient treatment and determining the efficiency and safety of medications. The images produced by the semiconductor-based PET scanner have been described as high-quality by experts. The scanner have semiconductor chips which are smaller and much easier to arrange compared to the usual PET scanners. The scanner also utilizes DOI technology that helps to reduce errors at the periphery of the image (Society of Nuclear Medicine, 2008). PET scanning using semiconductor-based scanner – Courtesy: http://www. healthday.
com/images/editorial/alzheimers. jpg Use of synthetic polymers in medicine Today synthetic, natural and hybrid polymers are utilized in the field of medicine to deliver drugs more effectively and safely. They can also be utilized over wound coverings, tissue engineering and implants. Some of the polymers contain peptide transport subunits that help to deliver drugs to specific locations in the body depending on its molecular weight. The existing drug delivery methods may not seem to be effective may seem to be ineffective in crossing the blood brain barrier and the digestive tract.
Hence, polymer hybrids could help to effectively deliver the drugs to various parts of the body. Polymers are also utilized to make biosensors and devices to detect certain events in the body. Certain reagents are utilized along with polymers to help in medical diagnostics. This would make these tests more sensitive, specific, precise, fast and reliable. Organic and hybrid polymers are also being considered for use as scaffolds for various tissues of the body, so that drugs can be delivered to the selected tissues only (E-MRS, 2004, & Weil, 2006).