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NANOROBOTS
CSIRO has awarded $10.9 million to 12 research training programs led by universities around Australia. These programs are aimed at solving a real-world challenges with Artificial Intelligence (AI). NanoCube is an industry partner in one of the programs “AI Enabled Advanced Materials Technology”, together with Deakin University, Australian National University and CSIRO. The first phase of Project Nanorobots related to materials discovery is being completed with the support of this initiative. See here for further information.
‘Nanorobots’ or ‘nanobots’ are the combination of nanotechnology and robotics. They can be used for both medical diagnostics and treatment (also known as 'theranostic') purposes and are a targetted, minimally invasive replacement of major surgery and other cancer treatments.
THE WHY?
There is an opportunity to revolutionise medicine with a new early detection, diagnosis and treatment approach. Everyday, a staggering 413 people are diagnosed with cancer in Australia (AIHW, 2021). Cancer has a significant economic burden – with estimated expenditure of $11.7bil a year in Australia (AIHW, 2018-19). More broadly, latest figures show that we spend $202.5bil on healthcare annually in Australia - approximately $7,926 per person (AIHW, 2019-2020).
Cancer surgery is common to remove the cancerous cells but comes with risks to patients such as risk of death, infection, blood clots, bleeding, loss of organ function and damage to nearby tissue and organs (as well as time to recover).
Cancer treatment like chemotherapy uses toxic compounds that indiscriminately damage healthy tissue throughout the body and come with a range of side effects. These side effects include (but are not limited to) lowered immunity, hair loss, anaemia, infection, fertility problems, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and changes in taste and smell.
Finally, people with cancer are at greater risk of developing mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. This may be exacerbated by factors such as the treatment setting, treatment side effects, the nature and length of treatment, and related stress.
THE WHAT?
Our project is focussed on early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer with the aid of nanorobots. Leveraging artificial intelligence, we are developing a multifunctional, simpler nanorobots from natural resources.
We also have a strong commitment to hearing the voices of consumers and other key stakeholders, such as medical practitioners, to ensure the end product responds to market needs.
KEY OUTCOMES
Revolutionalise cancer theranostics – safer, efficacious, timely and low-cost
• Safer by improving patient safety and wellbeing, and reducing cancer-related mortality and morbidity
• Efficacious by offering greater accuracy of theranostic capabilities
• Timely including earlier diagnosis, and reduced time in surgery and recovery.
• Low-cost while maintaining critical performance criteria.
KEY APPLICATIONS
The possibilities are endless
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease or stroke
• Brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or brain tumours
• Lung infections like pneumonia
Beyond medical applications, nanorobots can also be used in other sectors, such as defence. E.g., to detect faults on ships and fighter jets and repair these, or to enter enemy territory undetected for intelligence purposes.
CONTACT US
To find out more about our projects please reach out to us