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As an open system, the human organism is dependent on a constant interchange of energy and material with the outside world. This means it had to develop reliable mechanisms of protection as well as adaptive systems. Consumed food contains toxins that are excreted by clearance systems (liver, kidneys, etc.), inhaled air contains pollens and microparticles that must be filtered, open wounds are seen as friendly invitations by pathogenic bacteria, which must be fought off, as tissues are being repaired. Even the consumption of oxygen required to produce the necessary energy for basic functions results in the production of reactive molecules that can damage the system around them. While the human organism found a way to adapt to these threats, sometimes glitches in the system can occur. When there self-autonomous functions fail to divert these threats, humans are forced to rely on their ingenuity to design strategies to compensate for what the body cannot do.

Search for adequate therapies has faced issue after issue. The present lack of knowledge is the main cause that holds humanity back from successfully treating many diseases. Every invention, every new technology, was eventually turned into the field of medicine. Organic and inorganic, of human, of animal, of plant, of pure chemical lab origin, all were tried in the attempted counter-action where nature failed. This thesis will discuss the damage inflicted by oxidative stress, the ways it can deteriorate living systems and a new way to approach the problem–nanotechnology and cell mimicry.