Nano-Medicine & Biomaterials

The Nanotechnology and Biomaterials Portfolio is focused on identifying novel developments in materials science and biomaterials that can improve drugs and devices for diagnosis and therapy of a broad range of medical conditions. Nanotechnology investigates the properties of matter which change at very small scales.

Elements such as gold and silver as well as constructs of carbon and silicon acquire unique properties when fabricated at the nano scale. A variety of methods are under investigation to apply these and similar technologies to healthcare problems. At larger scales fabrication of materials with properties that mimic tissue are also under development. These biomimetic materials encourage the growth of cells, the integration of bone into implants, and the regeneration of tissue after traumatic injury in various applications.

The portfolio seeks to exploit developments in these fields for the broad range of military medical applications. TATRC oversees a diverse portfolio ranging from new nanomaterial-based contrast agents for cardiac and brain imaging to novel drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer. In each case TATRC assists the program in identifying military needs, defining metrics, and comparing the new technology to existing methods.