Young Iranian Inventor Makes Smart Nanodrug with Capability of Targeted Detecting, Monitoring

“Over three years of research has been carried out to design and manufacture smart antibacterial and antiviral magnetic nanomedicine with targeted tracking and monitoring capability with the help of a nanosensor tracker in the form of online checkup and treatment process,” Mohammad Hajizadeh told ANA.

Asked about the necessity for making smart nanomedicine, he said, “Given the spread of infectious and viral diseases in recent decades, including all types of viruses (coronavirus, mutated viruses, etc.) and all types of stomach and bacterial diseases that have endangered the survival of humans, using the advanced nanomedicine is necessary. We made the nanomedicine in order the disease can be treated rapidly before further spreading.”

“The smart magnetic nanomedicine with the capability of identification and detection of viruses (coronavirus) and bacteria analyzes the treatment process online by a tracker system. The compounds of this nanomedicine, including crystalline sulfur nanoparticles, iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles, Shikonin, vitamin D and PNVCL are very effective in the treatment of disease,” Hajizadeh stated.

He noted that the project was developed for the first time in the world, adding that it includes (N-vinylcaprolactam) as a drug carrier and enjoys specifications like temperature sensitivity, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, detection of the area of drug effectiveness with the help of frequency magnetization of iron nanoparticles by using a smart system, crystalline sulfur nanoparticles with strong antibacterial and antiviral properties to increase the effect, penetration to kill viruses and bacteria, and Shikonin extracted from Lithospermum plant with vitamin D which is a strong antibacterial and antiviral compound.

“The smart nanosensor system can be checked online on mobile phones, tablets, laptops, etc., and the next three effects of the drug can be applied by changing the color in 3D. Given the fact that the viruses and bacteria present on the targeted tissue are more damaged in this method, more red and orange colors are seen in this area which shows the effectiveness of the nanodrug,” Hajizadeh said.

Iran’s nanotechnology has obtained a fourth place in the world, led by knowledge-based companies and the Nanotechnology Innovation Council which is an entity under the supervision of the presidential office.

Currently, nanotech products are developed in 15 industrial fields based on domestic capabilities and have made their way to the international markets.

During the past Iranian calendar year (March 2021-March 2022), Iran gained 115 billion rials (about $370,000) from nano-products sales.

Among nano-products developed in Iran, 42 percent are related to construction, 17 percent to petroleum and related products, 13 percent to automaking, and 10 percent to optoelectronics.

Saeed Sarkar, an official with the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, said 725 kinds of nanotechnology products are being manufactured in the country and sent to the global markets.

The official went on to say that China, India, Indonesia, Syria, Turkey, and Iraq import Iranian nanotechnology products and equipment.

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