25 years of commercializing nanomedicine: from tissue engineering to fighting COVID

ABSTRACT

Nanomedicine has already revolutionized medicine through the development of materials that can prolong circulation in the body, avoid immune system clearance, penetrate cells and bacteria, invade tumors, promote tissue growth, inhibit infection, and so much more. New fields have emerged such as 4D printing which can enhance the performance of nanomaterials by 3D printing them into desirable shapes, implant them, and control their shape through external stimuli (such as near infrared excitation, temperature control, and others). This presentation will provide an overview of 25 years of commercializing University based research into real products helping human health. It will cover the promises and pitfalls of commercializing University based research and even discuss if this is the right model to advance science and research into the medical industry. It will also highlight new areas emerging for commcerialization such as the use of 4D printing in medicine for straightening the spine for scoliosis patients, closing of sphincters that weaken as one ages (for example, to decrease acid reflux from the stomach to the esophagus), promote intervertebral tissue growth by increasing pressure on such tissue during regeneration, deliver stem cells on the same materials in which they are cultured to enhance stem cell viability, and more. It will cover additional new areas like picomedicine, implantable sensors and more. It will cover in vitro and in vivo assessment of such materials and discuss what is needed to experience full application of nanomedicine throughout all of medicine.