PNNL

Abstract

Nanomedicine raises many new challenges for biomedical informatics (BMI): while nanomaterials open up the possibility for new methods and devices for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, further research is needed to identify potential risks for human health or the environment. This paper presents work carried out as part of an international collaboration to analyze nanoinformatics —the subfield of informatics specific to the nano field—, identifying its concepts, foundations and challenges. We compare nanoinformatics with BMI, analyzing their different aspects and suggest five research topics for which existing BMI results could help catalyze new research and development in nanoinformatics. We also introduce the term “translational nanoinformatics”, to encompass the use of informatics to further the biological and clinical applications of basic research in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and the related concept of an extended “nanotype” to coalesce information such as the toxicity of nanoparticles. Our goal is to encourage more extensive international collaborations in nanoinformatics.