Skip to main content

Modification of Nano-sized Materials for Drug Delivery

  • Chapter
  • 1576 Accesses

Abstract

As the field of nanotechnology advances, many nano-sized materials have been successfully used in drug delivery systems. However, recent practices in offering drugs with long circulation time and efficient targeting, and/or developing new therapeutic strategies are challenging nano-sized drug delivery carriers with more defined biological properties and functionalities. Most nano-sized delivery vehicles and materials currently being used cannot completely fulfill these requirements. To address these issues, syntheses of new carrier materials and modification of existing nano-sized materials with tunable properties are considered to be two effective strategies thus far. In this review article, we will focus on the latter. It is thought that through modification one can control and tailor the properties of nano-sized materials in a predictable manner, as well as provide them with precise properties and functionalities. These modifications can bring new and unique capabilities to many drug delivery systems. Recent progress on drug delivery applications for modified and functionalized nano-sized materials will be highlighted, after the methods used to modify nano-sized materials are discussed briefly.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xuejun Wen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Tsinghua University Press, Beijing and Springer-Verlag GmbH Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Xu, T., Nichols, H.L., Zhang, N., Wen, X. (2009). Modification of Nano-sized Materials for Drug Delivery. In: Shi, D. (eds) NanoScience in Biomedicine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-49661-8_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics