Application of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biotechnology

Ultrasound, as well as radiation and magnetism, has long been utilized as an essential tool in medical diagnosis. Recently, ultrasound has been promoted as a new modality in molecular diagnosis and therapy after the development of micro- and nanobubble technology and advances in molecular biology. Topics on the bioeffects and therapeutic applications of ultrasound include; (1) apoptosis and autophagy (programmed cell death) induction, (2) small pore formation (sonoporation) and cell membrane repair, which contribute to successful gene transfer, and (3) changes in gene expression, construction of promoter regions responsive to ultrasound, etc. Moreover, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been successfully used for accelerated bone fracture healing in some orthopedic surgeries. Here, the bioeffects and therapeutic applications of ultrasound are summarized.