31>Generally all nanotech drug delivery systems work by microencapsulating drugs/poisons in vesicles. The previous reply is correct in saying that certain receptors can then activate the decomposition of said vesicle and the delivery of the drug. However, also there is research currently being undertaken where it is not just the enemy virus/cell which is sought out, but also the chemicals produced by certain illnesses, for example cancer. Therefore a nanofabricated drug 'capsule' can be made to release its contents when it is in an area of high concentration of a certain illnesses byproduct. This has increased the range of diseases which can be attacked. In particular HIV where the receptors on the outside of the cell undergo mutations depending on the strain and point of lifecycle. Fascinating!
Reply:one system i have heard about that was being developed in Imperial college london is where they take the section of the antibody that recognizes the antigens which are displayd on the exterior of cancer cells. to this they add a bacteria which converts a certain sugar to cyanide, and then they add the sugar to the bloodstream. the sugar then diffuses harmlessly around the body, until it finds the bacteria, which are now attached to cancerous cells, and so the cyanide is delivered to the cancerous cells more effectively, killing them, and causing minimal damage to neighbouring, healthy cells.
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