Current Nanoscience - Volume 8, Issue 3, 2012

This interdisciplinary view of microfluidics at the interface with life sciences starts with presentation of the advantages and challenges presented by microfluidic devices. The forces important for flow in microchannels are discussed and special emphasis is placed on electrokinetic effects. The laws and principles governing flow in microchannels are compared to those important in macroflow and experimental methods used to measure flow in microchannels are introduced. Because flow in microchannels is laminar, for many applications there is need to enhance mixing and different ways to achieve this are presented herein. Due to the important influence of surface interactions for microfluidics, the materials used to manufacture microchannels are very important in flow control. A separate section discusses glass, silicon-based materials, and newer soft polymers used in microfluidic devices and the connection between their structure and the properties they impart to the flow. The field in which there are already numerous commercially available microfluidic devices is biotechnology. Some applications are discussed in a separate section. Lab-on-a-chip devices, due to their importance, are presented in a separate unit. Future directions of research in this interdisciplinary field are briefly discussed.

Nanomedicine is the medical application of nanotechnology and related research. Application of nanotechnology in the research of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may be an important direction towards its modernization. This paper reviews literatures on nano-TCM which were published in the past decade. In accordance with the different carriers, four types of nano-TCM, nanoliposome, solid lipid nanoparticle, nanocapsule and polymer micelle are analyzed. Most nano-TCMs are performed on nanoliposome for its easy preparation, convenience for application and multi-purpose administrations. Because of their characteristics of slow-release, targeting, toxicity etc., solid lipid nanoparticles are used mainly for the package of insoluble drugs as carriers for intravenous injection or local administration for the purpose of targeted or controlled release. Carrying drugs by natural or synthetic polymer material, nanocapsules can promote the drug through the blood-brain barrier and enhance drug's bioavailability. Polymer micelle, a new type of nanoparticle developed in recent years, can increase the solubility of hydrophobic drugs in body fluid and extend drug duration. Nanotechnology is conducive to the development of Chinese medicine in many ways, but there are many problems that need to be solved. Application of nanotechnology in the complex system of TCM is still in the initial stage, innovations of theory and technology are worth the wait to promote the nano-TCM into the practical stage.