Cancer and Nanotechnology

The biological picture of cancer is rapidly advancing from models built from phenomenological descriptions to network models derived from systems biology, which can capture the evolving pathophysiology of the disease at the molecular level. Cancer and Nanotechnology session will discuss emerging in vitro diagnostic technologies and therapeutic approaches that are being developed to handle this challenge. Our discussion of in vitro diagnostics is guided by the theme of making large numbers of measurements accurately, sensitively, and at very low cost. Cancer and Nanotechnology session also discuss diagnostic approaches based on microfluidics and nanotechnology. We then review the current state of the art of nanoparticle-based therapeutics that have reached the clinic. The goal of the session is to identify nanotherapeutic strategies that are designed to increase efficacy while simultaneously minimizing the toxic side effects commonly associated with cancer chemotherapies.