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| Year : 2012 | Volume
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| Issue : 2 | Page : 367 |
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| Nanotechnology in nephrology |
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Rajiv Saini, Santosh Saini, Sugandha R Saini
Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Rural Dental College, Loni, Tehsil, Rahata, District Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India
Click here for correspondence address and email
| Date of Web Publication | 28-Feb-2012 |
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How to cite this article:
Saini R, Saini S, Saini SR. Nanotechnology in nephrology. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2012;23:367 |
To the Editor ,
Nanotechnology can be defined as the science and engineering involved in the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of materials and devices whose smallest functional organization, in at least one dimension, is on the nanometer scale or one billionth of a meter and the promise that nanotechnology brings is multifaceted, offering not only improvements to the current techniques, but also providing entirely new tools and capabilities. [1] Nano-nephrology is a branch of nanomedicine and nanotechnology that deals with the study of kidney protein structures at the atomic level, nanoimaging approaches to study cellular processes in kidney cells and novel medical treatments that utilize nanoparticles and to treat various kidney diseases. Nowadays, nano-technology and microfluidic technologies are emerging as enabling factors for the operation of lab-on-chip devices and micro total analysis systems in the biotechnological and biome-dical fields. These devices allow to reduce the waste of reagents and products, and to increase analytical precision and operational throughput. [2] The theoretical advantages of micro- and nanometer scale engineering to renal replacement include the manufacture of high-hydraulic permeability membranes with implanted sensing and control structures. Recent data in membrane design and testing is presented, with a review of the challenges remaining in implementation of this technology. [3] Recently researchers have developed a human nephron filter (HNF) that would eventually make possible a continuously functioning, wearable or implantable artificial kidney. The HNF is the first application in developing a renal replacement therapy (RRT) to potentially eliminate the need for dialysis or kidney transplantation in end-stage renal disease patients. The HNF utilizes a unique membrane system created through applied nanotechnology. In the ideal RRT device, this technology would be used to mimic the function of natural kidneys, continuously operating, and based on individual patient needs. The promise that nanotechno-logy brings is multifaceted, offering not only improvements to the current techniques, but also providing entirely new tools and capabilities.
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| 1. | Saini R, Saini S, Sharma S. Nanotechnology: The future medicine. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2010;3:32-3. 
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| 2. | Pisignano D. Nanotechnology and nephrology. G Ital Nefrol 2007;40:80-6.
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| 3. | Fissell WH, Humes HD, Fleischman AJ, Roy S. Dialysis and nanotechnology: Now, 10 years, or never. Blood Purif 2007;25:12-7.
[PUBMED] [FULLTEXT] |
Correspondence Address:
Rajiv Saini
Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Rural Dental College, Loni, Tehsil, Rahata, District Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
India
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PMID: 22382241 
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