Overview
Though nanoparticles are stunningly small, they pack huge potential for diagnosing and treating disease and improving patient care.
Dr. Deborah Fiser, former dean of the UAMS College of Medicine
The Arkansas Nanomedicine Center is a hub for innovative multidisciplinary activities including infection, cancer, toxicology, and imaging. Via an expanding network of basic science researchers and associated clinicians, the Arkansas Nanomedicine Center seeks to investigate and apply advanced nanomedicine techniques and materials to improve current medical diagnosis and treatment options for patient care.
Background
Nanomedicine is an offshoot of nanotechnology, and refers to highly specific medical research and applications at the molecular scale for curing disease or repairing damaged tissues.
Gathering nanomedicine efforts and resources from within the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and statewide collaborators under one umbrella, UAMS announced in 2012 the creation of the Arkansas Nanomedicine Center in the College of Medicine as a virtual hub at UAMS.
Goal
The goal of the Arkansas Nanomedicine Center is to bring revolutionary Nanotechnology advances from Bench to Bedside. The mission of the Arkansas Nanomedicine Center is to establish collaborations with UAMS departments and institutes including the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute; the Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute, the Myeloma Institute, the Translational Research Institute, and many clinical and basic science departments of the College of Medicine and at state institutions and centers with abundant expertise in nanotechnology.
Research Benefits
Advanced nanomaterials will be tested as potentially active agents for bio-nano-science and the treatment of many diseases such as cancer, infections, and cardiovascular disorders. Other applications will include tissue engineering (plant and animal), drug delivery, nano-bio-sensors for low dose radiation dosimetry and environment toxicity monitoring.
Educational Benefits
The Arkansas Nanomedicine Center will extend the opportunities to develop novel and model educational programs that have been proposed in discussion with the FDA commissioner. Further, the universities that are fully engaged in providing an outstanding education for students in the fields of Nanomedicine will focus on interdisciplinary graduate student programs.
Economic Benefits
It is expected that the research results generated by the Arkansas Nanomedicine Center will provide an unusually favorable opportunity for significant economic impact on the region. Spin-off and technology companies will be formed around the Arkansas Nanomedicine Center and located in the central part of Arkansas and will attract companies to the Central Arkansas Research Park to be built near UAMS. UAMS BioVentures is already incubating several spin-off businesses that are engaged in nanomedicine applications.
Health Care Benefits
New early diagnosis approaches and advanced treatments developed at Arkansas Nanomedicine Center will first benefit all Arkansans. The Nanomedicine technologies will be expected to have a national and international impact. This will be reflected in a large number of patients coming to Arkansas resulting in a significant economic impact.