NanomedicineCenter.com

Nanoprobes detect and destroy cancer

A scientist from Purdue University has developed a nanoprobe, with many antibodies attached to it (herceptin). It is supposed to be able to locate tumors and might one day be able to directly attack cancer cells.

Joseph Irudayaraj, the scientist, said: “If we have a tumor, these nanoprobes should have the ability to latch on to it. The probe could carry drugs to target, treat as well as reveal cancer cells.”

Nanoscale probes that were created before were based on gold nanorods or magnetic nanoparticles. However, Irudayaraj’s probes use both, and that strengthens their properties.
The probes would be injected into the body through a saline buffering fluid, and the Herceptin would find and attach to protein markers on the surface of cancer cells.

“When the cancer cell expresses a protein marker that is complementary to Herceptin, then it binds to that marker,” said Irudayaraj. “We are advancing the technology to add other drugs that can be delivered by the probes.”

This is an another proof that nanomedicine is growing every day, and it’s on the way to become huge in the near future.

The details are published in Angewandte Chemie.

Adopted from materials provided by purdue.edu

Israel diving into nanotechnology

During the past decade, nanotechnology has been rising constantly. Many countries’ governments and private investors have seen the potential it offers and invested large amounts of money in it. Before the economic crisis hit the world, many predicted that all industry branches will suffer, nanotechnology included. However, they were wrong, obviously.

In order to survive the current financial crisis, many countries’ governments are looking for ways to stabilize their economy and create something new that will boost their income. You’re guessing… they are turning to nanotechnology. Having in mind that predictions say that the global nanotechnology market will top $1 trillion by 2015, it seems that there is nothing to argue about investing in nanotech.

One of the countries that’s taken the path of nanotechnology is Israel. Israel is already known for many achievements in chemistry, physics, materials, medicine and many more fields of science — which makes it even easier for them to explore nanotechnology. There are already some implementations of nanotech, such as nano-based textile products with phase-change technology, the incorporation of nano-materials in metals to enhance performance while significantly reducing weight, the purification of water by nano-membranes, medical applications of tissue regeneration, nano-enabled drug delivery and other important implementations, etc.

On March 30th and 31st, a nanoconference will be held in Israel, in honor of Israel’s 60th anniversary. It will provide its visitors with an opportunity to see all the nanotechnology research and development capabilities amassed in Israel, through the encouragement and support of governmental programs such as those of the Office of Chief Scientist and MAGNET, as well as through unique collaborations of academic and industrial research.

Adopted from materials found at globes.co.il

Make a video about nanotechnology and win $500

ACS Nanotation is holding a contest where you can win $500 in cash! What you need to do in order to apply is create a video about nanotechnology — something that’s creative, inspiring, and scientific. The submission lasts until March 15th, so if you haven’t applied yet, what are you waiting for? Click here to apply.

To give you an example of what a video should look like, here’s a great and cool one. It explains nanotechnology through music and it was created by Patrick Bennett. Enjoy.