NanomedicineCenter.com

Biotech expected to grow despite financial crisis

Large-cap biotech stocks are safe to invest in, says a report by Barron’s. They aren’t risky or expensive anymore, as many claim, despite their reputation. Of course, biotech stocks have fallen and aren’t near their highs posted in August, but they’re still “in a good shape” when compared to other industry branches (the AMEX Biotechnology Index remains 36% off its record in August).

Barron’s asked a number of experts to talk on the issue. “The big players in the biotech industry will grow despite what happens in the economy.” says Evan McCulloh, Franklin Biotechnology Discover Fund. “When the value of other stocks is falling, there is a positive vibe around big biotech stocks.”

An expert from S&P Equity Research said that the large-cap biotech stocks could rise by 20% anually over the next 3-5 years. WCM’s Will Muggia said that big biotech stocks are the only stocks that he believes will rise over the next couple of years.

However, there are some risks, as always in the investment world. Rising unemployement rates and patients cutting back on their meds could hurt the companies. On the other hand, Obama’s program defined healthcare as a priority, so there there should be new legislation and pricing controls in sight.

Barcode chip to revolutionize medical diagnostics?

Scientists at Caltech, led by James R. Heath, have developed a new “barcode chip” which is set to revoluzionize diagnostics in medicine. What does this chip actually do? From a very small amount of blood, within 10 minutes, the chip can measure concentrations of numerous proteins, including those that are “connected” with diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases.

The barcode chip (also called IBBC) is not very big in size (approx. the size of a microscope slide). It is made out of glass substrate and covered with silicone rubber. On the surface of the chip there are microfluidic circuits, which actually “accept” the blood that needs to be analyzed.

The IBBC is a huge improvement compared to standard laboratory blood testing, both in cost and speed of the tests. Standard laboratory blood tests are done by taking blood from patient’s vein, taking it to laboratory and getting it centrifuged, where the blood cells are separated from the plasma. After that, the plasma can be examined for certain proteins. “The whole kit could cost not more than $50.” says Heath. “We wanted to lower the costs and the time needed for such tests. I think we’ve achieved what we wanted.”

One chip can be used to perform tests on 8 patients and it examines many proteins at once. “We are aiming to measure 100 proteins per fingerprick within a year or so. It’s a pretty enabling technology.” says Health.

The chip is now being clinically tested on patients with glioblastoma, a form of brain tumor.

The new waterproof material

Scientists from Switzerland have developed a new material which is completely waterproof and they say that it’s the most water-repellent material ever created.

At the University of Zurich, a team of researchers led by Stefan Seeger developed the fabric from polyester fibres combined with millions of silicone filaments. Drops of water stay as spherical as possible on top of the material (see image). A jet of water just bounces, leaving no traces on the fabric.

What is actually the secret behind this material? It’s the silicone filaments, which are hydrophobic. Combined with 40nm wide filaments create a very strong waterproof layer. “The combination of the hydrophobic surface chemistry and the nanostructure of the coating results in the super-hydrophobic effect” says Seeger.

The silicone filaments also create an air layer between them, to create a permanent layer of air. This layer’s function is to make sure that the filaments never “touch” the polyester fabric. That’s why the material can be held in the water for two months and still remain dry.