Modern technology has made massive advancements in recent years, and perhaps nowhere is this greater than within the health sector. We now have more capabilities than ever before to treat, cure and prevent diseases which were fatal only a handful of years ago. It is important that we take a quick look at some of the latest advancements in terms of medical research to better understand where we are headed.
Stem Cells
Stem cells are some of the most promising innovations that have come along in the past decade. As these cells can differentiate and replicate nearly any other cell within the body, the treatment options are nearly endless. Cell culture, as offered by BioLamina may soon be used to treat conditions ranging from cancer to Alzheimer’s Disease and these same cells are currently being employed to treat burn victims.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology revolves around the use of molecular machines to treat and eradicate illnesses. For example, a tiny substance can be injected into the bloodstream. It can then actively target a tumour while leaving the surrounding tissue intact. This will revolutionise the ways in which diseases are fought. While much of this technology is still in research phases, analysts feel that it will not be long before it is used to drastically alter the ways in which countless surgeries are performed.
Vaccine Cocktails
One of the reasons why our vaccines have become more potent is the fact that pharmacological research has come a long way since the 1980s. A recent example of this can be seen in experimental drug known as ZMAPP. This substance is actually a virtual “cocktail” of different substances that are used in conjunction to treat the deadly Ebola virus. As a testament to modern medicine, ZMAPP has already been used with some success on patients from around the world. However, we should also note that this and other vaccines need to be thoroughly tested before they are released to the public.
The Aid of Computers
Very few of these advancements would have been possible without the help of modern computers. They can calculate billions of outcomes per second while performing other tasks that would be impossible for humans. In a very real way, the greatest medical leaps have been made thanks to the help of the computing power that most of us take for granted!It will be interesting to see what the future holds in terms of medical research. However, it is certain that we will be able to live longer and healthier lives.