Nanotechnology (nanotech) is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale.

Nanotechnology as defined by size is naturally very broad, including fields of science as diverse as surface science, organic chemistry, molecular biology, semiconductor physics, micro fabrication, etc.

Nanotechnology is defined as the creation of functional materials, devices, and systems through control of matter at the scale of 1 to 100 nanometers and exploitation of novel properties and phenomena at the same scale. 

Nanotechnology offers a novel set of tools for early detection of cancer.

Topics included the use of lasers to measure optical deformability in cancer cells, detection, sensing and therapeutics through the use of nanopores and nanomaterials, molecular combing to detect genomic instability, molecular nanomechanics for detection of biomolecular interactions, dendrimers, nanodevices and nanotechnology platforms for sensing, delivery, and therapeutic applications.

PEBBLE technology is used for the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancers such as intercranial tumors, or gliomas, which have a built-in exclusion mechanism afforded by the blood-brain barrier. Nanoparticles can cross this barrier, but the challenge is to develop a nontoxic yet therapeutically viable device, protected from immune system functions, proteases, and other biochemical events that might destroy it.  

Its utility in analyzing and characterizing extremely limiting biological samples was also discussed.

The evolution of a nanopore membrane therapeutic device allows for adjusting the thickness, height, and width of the nanopore, which could be used for immunoisolating cells, cell factories, and implantable sensors.

Nanotechnology is a potential tool that could help detect the molecular changes and assist in focusing on preventive efforts.