BY TRACEY CLEGG SCI 1125-Professional Science Essentials

INTRODUCTION Nanotechnology are structures and machines nanometres (nm) in length It is applicable in scientific disciplines such as biotechnology and virology (the study of viruses) One prevalent virus in our modern world is H.I.V. Nanotechnology can be used to combat and possibly eradicate viruses

NANOTECHNOLOGY & NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY Nanobiotechnology-the ways that nanotechnology is used to create devices for biological systems Diagrams-1 nm is 1 billionth of a metre (smaller than a bacterium and the wavelength of visible light)

VIROLOGY & VIRUSES Virology-the study of the structure, classification and evolution of viruses Viruses are natural, organic nanomachines, using a host’s cells to replicate and infect more hosts H.I.V. binds to the CD 4 receptors on the surface of a T cell (white blood cell) which it needs for entry to the cell When H.I.V. enters the T cell the virus integrates into the host, thus infecting it

NANOTECHNOLOGY BASED ANTI-VIRAL AGENTS Silver nanoparticles are non-toxic to the human body They are highly useful in fighting and eliminating H.I.V. The nanoparticle’s coating is deadly to fungi and bacteria

NANOVIRICIDES They are nanoparticles that destroy viruses They are designed to seek specific virus types and neutralise them They can have a broad spectrum of viruses to attach to They can be used to combat H.I.V. and various influenzas

CONCLUSION Nanotechnology will revolutionise the way we treat diseases Nanotechnological treatments are not as harmful as chemotherapy, etc. They can eliminate viruses such as H.I.V. while leaving healthy cells be Through further scientific and technological advancements nanomachines can become more efficient in neutralising viruses