The prospects of medical application of metal-based nanoparticles and nanomaterials.

Current studies, dedicated to metallic (gold, silver, iron, and copper) nanomaterials are reviewed in this paper. This metals own unique physical and chemical properties which determine their application. The medical application of metallic nanomaterials includes therapy and prophylaxis of diseases, development of new drugs and improvement of conventional ones, nanodiagnostics. Nevertheless some aspects concerning the introduction of the nanometals into medical practice need further profound research.