Trends Identified
Genetic passport
An important step for the transition to predictive and personalised medicine is the wide spread dissemination of genetic passports containing data from a DNA analysis of the individual. Based on the genetic information provided, a doctor can not only correctly put forward a diagnosis and select the most appropriate treatment, but also – prior to revealing the real picture of the pathological process – to warn of any possible developments of a particular disease with a view to providing timely prophylaxis or treatment.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Drugs based on living cells
The introduction of medicines based on living cells (autologous, donor, primary, cultivated, differentiated and modified) will form a basis for cell therapy and tissue engineering for transplanting stem cells into certain parts of the body, as well as equivalents engineered on the basis of stem cells, which could be able to restore the structure and functions of damaged tissues and organs. Technologies to obtain stem cells from patient tissues will make it possible to make treatment materials within a matter of hours. The techniques used to selectively cultivate and differentiate this type of cell will allow for rapid and effective treatments for various pathologies. A new and fundamental property of these technologies is the complete compatibility of the stem cells taken from the patient’s own differentiated tissues with the patient’s body. In this regard, it is possible to rule out infections: the cells have reduced (compared with embryonic) capabilities to differentiate into unwanted directions.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
New materials to stimulate regeneration, activity and cytodifferentiation in the body
New materials to stimulate the regeneration, activity and differentiation of cells in the body offer the potential to cure pathologies in the musculoskeletal system, wounds of various aetiology, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Innovative techniques are based on bioengineering “grafting” technologies in this field and are required, with the necessary speed, to regenerate cells and to subsequently form various tissues and organs directly in the body on the basis of those cells. At the end of the prescribed timeframe, the biodegradable polymer materials leave the body, breaking down with natural metabolic products. New technologies will help to speed up the healing of all types of tissue, prevent the formation of adhesions, and reduce the number of complications after operations, thus providing a significant increase in patients’ quality of life.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Bioreplaceable materials
The expected social effect of bioreplaceable materials for orthopaedics, replicating the architectonics of bone tissues and making it possible to heal bone defects, lies in the reduced level of disability in the population, the reduction in periods of incapacity, and the reduction in the length of hospitalisation and rehabilitation periods. Together with this, there is expected to be a fall in the risk of repeated prosthesis replacements. Within the existing technological base, a pool of innovative techniques is being developed which could offer radical medical care to restore bone tissue.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
"Brain - computer" interfaces to transfer a signal to specific patterns of neurons
In the long-term, there is expected to be “brain-computer interfaces” which are systems to transfer electronic impulses from the body’s nervous system to an electronic device and back. This achievement would find wide application in neuroprosthesis, in particular when developing bionic sensory organs. The development of this field will subsequently lead to the creation of systems which are a functional part of the human intellect (exocortex) to further improve cognitive processes.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Sensors to analyse the make-up of various environments
Nanostructured materials and coatings can be applied to sensors to analyse the make-up of various environments so as to increase their responsiveness (by reducing the diffusion time in the sensitive layer) and increase sensitivity (by increasing the specific surface). Nanotechnologies can be used to develop new types of sensitive materials to miniature multi-sensor matrices (sensors) embedded in consumer electronics and clothing, and can also be placed in production and residential buildings.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Physical value sensors based on nanomaterials
Physical value sensors based on nanomaterials could be used in special measuring devices. They comprise two sub-groups of innovative products: 1 electromagnetic wave measurement sensors: hard x-ray, ultraviolet, infrared, radio emissions, etc.; 2 sensors designed to measure linear and angular displacement (produced using materials made from nanotubes with zero transverse deformation coefficient), acceleration (based on the tunnel effect with sensitive nanoelements), and terahertz radiation using planar nanostructures (based on ultra-thin metal films). This sub-group also includes optical nanosensors for mechanical stress (based on elastic inverted photon crystals), etc.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Nanostructured materials and reagents for water purification processes
In the short term we can expect to see the emergence of nanostructured materials and reagents for water purification processes (water treatment, raw food processing). With the transition to these technologies, the problems of drinking water supplies and efficient purification of household and industrial sewerage will largely be solved, in particular by using various types of hybrid membranes with embedded nanoparticles. It is possible to significantly intensify water purification processes using membranes with an asymmetric (gradient) distribution of nano-particles by restructuring membrane pore and channel structures. Such an effect can occur upon implementation of electromembrane technologies, allowing for an increase in the electro-catalytic activity of particles in a water dissociation reaction which enables higher speed electrodialysis purification of water in extreme currents. Ion-exchange and membrane materials containing nanoparticles of metals are used for further removal of dissolved oxygen from water, which is extremely important for a number of processes in today’s electronics industry. Ion-exchange and filter membranes will be widely used in food production and processing.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Nanostructured bio-compatible materials
In the near future we can expect active development in technology to create nanostructured bio-compatible materials for medical use, primarily in two areas: 1 developing materials to manufacture implants and substitutes for various tissues (for example, oxide or phosphate bio-coatings are applied to strong and relatively light titanium implants to prevent rejection by living tissues); 2 the creation of materials with properties and structures similar to those found in the human body. One example is bone implants with a porous structure based on calcium phosphate. Ideally, medical materials should complement natural fabrics. With the emergence of nanostructured bio-compatible and bioresorbable implants, the structure of the prostheses and implants market, together with the principles and approaches to prosthetics, have changed significantly. The introduction of new technologies will make it possible to increase the active life of humans, reduce population disabilities, and improve people’s quality of life.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Drug delivery systems
The use of drug delivery systems will radically increase the effectiveness of drug treatments. Highly-porous nanoparticles or nanocapsules could be used as drug carriers. Targeted delivery systems are contributing to cost-effective spending on medicinal substances and reductions in their toxicity, as opposed to significantly levelling out their side effects.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation