Imaging at the nanoscale

Question 1

What are the applications of imaging at the nanoscale?

Answer 1

1. To understand structure, composition and bio-reactivity of biomaterials – hip replacement, disc replacements.
2. To image nanostructures to see if they are suitable for replacement – e.g. if they can mimic bone in the body.
3. To understand targeted drug delivery – to engineer nanoparticles so they can carry drugs and target it to different receptors/cells etc, this needs imaging to see the nanoparticles in the cellular environment and tissues.
4. To understand why nanoparticles fail.