Hot Topics
Nanofabrication - making the "small" things
The development of nanotechnology depends on the ability to build and maneuver structures at the scale of 10-100 nanometers (nm). Traditionally, engineers have fabricated nanometer-sized structures through a “top-down” approach by “carving them out” via lithography from a large substrate. Substantial and growing capital investment is required for such fabrication techniques. Alternatively, a “bottom-up” approach, relying on the self-assembly of atomic and molecular species into nanoscale objectives through chemical processes, may hasten the development of future nanotechnology products by providing a cost-effective route to the production of uniform nanostructures on large scales.
Nanotoxicity - addressing the safety issue
Nanotoxicology refers to the study of the interactions of nanostructures with biological systems with an emphasis on identifying the relationship between the physical and chemical properties of nanostructures with induction of toxic biological responses. A complete understanding of the relationship between unique properties of the nanostructures and in vivo and in vitro behaviors would provide a good basis for assessing toxic responses. In this case, studies in animal models will identify the organs of interest, in turn leading to identification of the best cell types for in vitro cytotoxicity studies to further enhance our understanding of how these cells molecularly response to the nanostructures. Toxicologic tests and the resulting database would provide materials safety sheet for nanoparticles as well as a basis for risk assessment and management.
Nanomedicine - putting nanotech at work for biomedical research
The focus of nanotech research has gradually shifted from development of high-quality nanomaterials and investigation of their physical properties to the application side. Biomedical research has been identified as one of the fields that can greatly benefit from the advancement in nanotech. In particular, nanomedicine - an offshoot of nanotech that refers to highly specific medical intervention at the nanoscale for curing disease and repairing damaged tissues such as bone, muscle, or nerve - is emerging as an exciting playground not just for biomedical researchers but also for chemists and material scientists. The power of nanomedicine lies in its ability to operate on the same small scale as all the intimate biochemical functions involved in the growth, development, and aging of the human body. It is expected to provide a new framework for diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease.