Report: Nanobiotechnology
The report starts with an introduction to various techniques and materials
that are relevant to nanobiotechnology. It includes some of the physical
forms of energy such as nanolasers. Some of the technologies are scaling
down such as microfluidics to nanofluidic biochips and others are
constructions from bottom up. Applications in life sciences research,
particularly at the cell level sets the stage for the role of
nanobiotechnology in healthcare in subsequent chapters. July 2008
First prototypes of disposable insulin
nanopump for continuous infusion
Debiotech and STMicroelectronics have introduced the first evaluation
prototypes of a unique miniaturized insulin-delivery pump that could improve
the treatment efficiency and the quality of life of diabetics. 29 June 2008
Carbon nanotubes attached to antibodies
kill cancer cells under infrared light
Carbon nanotubes attached to monoclonal antibodies that target specific
sites on lymphoma cells can kill the cells by heating up when exposed to
near-infrared light. 25 June 2008
Breakthrough in antimicrobial coatings
4MED is an innovative hygiene coating developed by Stratford upon Avon-based
Nano Hygiene Coatings Limited. The coating combines the benefits of the
easy-to-clean properties derived from nano chemical technology with an
antimicrobial additive, actively preventing the growth of bacteria such as E
Coli and MRSA. 19 June 2008
New nanotechnology consumer products
launched at rate of 3-4 per week
New nanotechnology consumer products are coming on the market at the rate of
3-4 per week, according to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies' (PEN)
inventory of consumer products. Health and fitness items, which include
cosmetics and sunscreens, represent 60 percent of inventory products. 29
April 2008 New breast cancer test uses magnetic
nanoparticles to detect cancer cells
A team from University College London has developed a new medical device
called the ‘HistoMag’ that will make the early detection of breast cancer
more accurate, cost effective and easier to administer. 10 March 2008
European Commission sponsors study on
regulating nanotechnology in the EU and US
The EC has awarded US$587,000 to a group of US and UK institutes, headed by
the London School of Economics and Political Science, to compare
nanotechnology regulation in the EU and US and assist a unified approach to
regulation. 18 February 2008 Taking
nanotechnology from lab to factory
An EU-funded 'network of excellence' has helped micro and nanotechnology
make it from the laboratory to the factory. The Design for Micro & Nano
Manufacture (Patent-DfMM) network involved teams from the fields of
packaging, test engineering, reliability engineering, simulation and
modelling. 8 February 2008 Call for
European transnational research proposals in nanoscience
Nanoscience Europe has announced a call for proposals for nanoscience
research funding in Europe. A minimum of €16m will be distributed for the
funding of innovative high-quality projects. 5 February 2008
US offers industry voluntary submission of
nanotechnology hazards
Industry, non-governmental organizations and other groups in the US can
voluntarily submit safety data on engineered nanoscale materials under the
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plan for the Nanoscale Materials
Stewardship Program under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 1
February 2008 Artificial virus shells to
be used as containers for nano-manufacturing
Researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and The Scripps
Research Institute in California are designing an artificial viral shell
that could be used as a nano-container for molecular-scale engineering. 29
January 2008 FEI joins with FOM to
develop single-atom imaging
FEI Company, a leading developer of electron microscopes, and the
Netherlands-based Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM), have
announced a joint nanotechnology research project to develop a new
generation of microscopes. 10 January 2008
Lack of nanotechnology safety roadmap hindering companies
A US survey of New England-based nanotechnology companies has found that
these firms lack a clear roadmap of government environmental, health and
safety expectations and regulations for successful commercialization, as
well as the information needed to meet those expectations. 10 January 2008
UK government report on the potential
risks of nanotechnology
The report Characterising the Potential Risks posed by Engineered
Nanoparticles, covers the activities of five Task Forces and descibes
progress on meeting 19 objectives set out in a previous study in 2005. 9
January 2008 IMAGNA to develop
therapeutic vaccine against cat fibrosarcoma
The IMAGNA consortium is to study the usefulness of therapeutic tumour
vaccination by magnetofection technology in a clinical study in cats with
fibrosarcoma. Preliminary results indicate significant reduction in tumour
relapse rates. 24 September 2007 Novel
cell culture technique shows tumours selectively uptake nanoparticles
A novel cell-culture technique devised by scientists at The University of
Nottingham has shown that nanoparticles can deliver drugs selectively to
brain tumour cells. 12 September 2007
Study identifies toxic by-products of nanotechnology
 In
a warning to the emerging nanotechnology industry, a new study of the
by-products discharged to the environment during production of carbon
nanotubes (CNTs) has identified cancer-causing compounds, air pollutants,
and other substances of concern.
4 Sept 2007
US FDA lacks resources to
regulate nanotechnology
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a report
recommending action to address the benefits and risks of
nanotechnology. But according to the Project on Emerging
Nanotechnologies the agency has been under-resourced for decades and
there is a lack of risk-research data on nanotechnology for the
agency to be able to carry out the recommendations. 21 August 2007
US environment agency criticised
for lack of action on health risks of nanomaterials
The US Environmental Protection Agency's voluntary Nanoscale
Materials Stewardship Program has been labelled "too little, too
late" by Environmental Defense. 14 August 2007
 New
displays possible from colour-changing magnetised liquid
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) have
discovered that it is possible to change the colour of a liquid
consisting of very small particles of iron oxide suspended in water
simply by varying the strength of a magnetic field. 25 July 2007
 Transparent
nano-fibre film can be designed to conduct electricity, repel dirt,
attract oil
A new technique for making a films of tiny plastic fibres with
customisable properties could lead to new products as diverse as
transparent electronic devices, self-cleaning surfaces and
biomedical tools that manipulate strands of DNA. 19 July 2007
 Bacteria
place nanoparticles in cells to aid diagnosis or treatment
The natural infection mechanism of bacteria can be used to deliver
nanoparticles carrying drugs, DNA or sensors into cells for precise
diagnosis or treatment of disease. 19 June 2007
Concentrating viral particles in
electric field could lead to rapid virus detector
Engineers in the US have solved a critical bottleneck in the
transport and capture of virus nanoparticles, making possible a
device that could rapidly sample and detect infectious biological
agents, such as viruses. 9 May 2007
Debiotech and STMicroelectronics
in partnership to manufacture microfluidic insulin pump
The nanopump, which relies on microfluidic MEMS
(micro-electro-mechanical system) technology, is a breakthrough
concept that allows a tiny pump to be mounted on a disposable skin
patch to provide continuous insulin infusion. 1 May 2007
 Zinc
oxide nanowires make ultrasensitive photo-detectors
The high sensitivity and high gain of zinc oxide nanowire arrays
could lead to new photo-detector architectures for sensing, imaging,
memory storage and intrachip optical communications. 30 April 2007
A vision of the future of nanotechnology
Nanotechnology can help to overcome some of the world's biggest challenges,
according to a new report, including the energy crisis, the need for better
medical treatments, and the demand for clean water. 27 April 2007
Microassembler for building micromachines
University of Illinois engineers have created a micro device that uses
agile, human-like fingers that can assemble micromachines made of
micron-sized parts. The device has potential to be refined to manipulate
parts and components for machines at the nano scale. 3 April 2007
 Platinum-coated
nanotube biosensor detects glucose in near real time
Researchers at the University of Arkansas have fabricated a novel biosensor
that detects glucose in close to real time and with much greater sensitivity
than other comparable, biocompatible sensors. 21 March 2007
 New
electronic devices and nanogenerators created from zinc oxide
nanowires
Researchers used the unique semiconducting and piezoelectric properties of
zinc oxide nanowires to create a new class of electronic components and
devices that could provide the foundation for a broad range of new
applications, including devices safe for implanting in the body. 8 March
2007
Nanotechnology research neglects world's
poor
Nanotechnology has the potential to generate enormous health benefits for
people in the developing world, but there is little incentive to develop
suitable products. 6 March 2007
 Electrically
controlled nanotube membranes produce powerful water filtration device
Low voltages can precisely and selectively control the flow of water through
nanotube membranes. This could lead to a novel way to produce drinking
water, new biomedical research, and advanced circuitry. 2 March
Project to combine biology and engineering
to create soft-bodied robots
Researchers at Tufts University in the USA have launched a multidisciplinary
initiative focused on the science and engineering of a new class of robots
that are completely soft-bodied. These devices will make possible advances
in such far flung arenas as medicine and space exploration. 12 February 2007
Video game gives real-world experiences of
nanomedicine
NanoMission is a PC-based game that educates players about basic concepts in
nanoscience through real-world practical applications from microelectronics
to drug delivery. 16 Jan 2007
 Carbon-metal
hybrid nanowires open door to new nanoelectronic devices
Hybrid structures that combine the best properties of carbon nanotubes and
metal nanowires could lead to new applications in computer chips, displays,
sensors and other electronic devices.
9 Jan 2007
Nanotechnology safety in workplace
neglected
Little is known about the potential risks of nanotechnology even though
there are more than 400 products on the market. A strategic plan and more
resources for risk research are needed now in order to ensure safe nano-workplaces.
9 Jan 2007
Carbon nanotubes bridge nerve cells and
electronics
Carbon nanotubes that connect nerve cells to electronic circuits may lead to
new implantable biomedical devices that can act as artificial nerve cells,
control severe pain, or allow otherwise paralyzed muscles to be moved. 14
Nov 2006
 Magnetic
nanoparticles enable magnetic resonance imaging of neuron activity in brain
New chemical sensors that indicate the firing of neurons in the brain and
show up strongly in magnetic resonance imaging will open the way for new
research into the way the brain works. 7 Nov 2006
Akubio wins £800,000 grant to develop
electronic hand-held disease detectors
UK nanotechnology firm Akubio has received a £826,000 government grant to
help develop its electronic technology for the rapid detection of viruses
and bacteria such as avian flu, E coli, malaria and meningitis. 24 Oct 2006
FDA will be overstretched by need to
monitor medical nanotechnology
Developments in medical nanotechnology are advancing at such a rate that the
US regulatory body, the Food and Drug Administration is unlikely to be able
to cope with the requirements to monitor them, according to a new report. 12
Oct 2006
 Silicon
'nanocantilevers' form ultrasensitive biological detectors
The tiny vibrating silicon structures created by researchers at Purdue
University vibrate at different frequencies when contaminants stick to them,
revealing the presence of dangerous substances. 12 Sept 2006
Paris University to study medical
applications of NanoArrayer
The Université Pierre & Marie Curie (UPMC) in
Paris is evaluating the BioForce Nanosciences NanoArrayer system. The
University will use the NanoArrayer to pattern proteins associated with cell
morphology establishment and migration. 24 August 2006
Helium atom beams may provide new imaging
technique
A new system for delivering beams of helium atoms with X-ray-like waves has
potential for use in diffraction imaging at the nanoscale level. 17 August
2006
 The
ethics and politics of nanotechnology
UNESCO has published a report that assesses the ethical, legal and political
aspects of nanotechnology. It outlines what the science of nanotechnology
is, and presents some of the issues facing the international community in
the near future. 8 August 2006
 Solitons
could power molecular electronics and artificial muscles
Solitary waves travelling through organic polymers that flex in response to
ligh or electrical charge could power artificial muscles in high-tech robots
and human mobility aids. 18 July 2006
Microchip miniaturisation barrier could be
broken by nanotechnology
The University of Bath is to lead an international project that could remove
the electrical wiring in microchips, allowing denser circuitry, and result
in computers with 500 times the power of present day technology. 10 July
2006
Liver cells in silicon crystals screen
drugs for toxicity
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have developed a
'smart petri dish' that could be used to rapidly screen new drugs for toxic
interactions or identify cells in the early stages of cancer circulating
through a patient’s blood. 20 June 2006
Report on worldwide status of nanomedicine
MedMarket Diligence has released a report on the worldwide status of
development and market for micro- and nanomedicine. 9 June 2006
 SmartShirt
for remotely monitoring human vital signs
The SmartShirt from Sensatex can remotely monitor a wearer's movement,
heart rate, and respiration rate in real-time through a patented
nanotechnology conductive fibre grid that is seamlessly knit into the
material of the fully washable shirt. 18 May 2006
 Cork
for nano tubes gives drug-delivery potential
Scientists at the University of Florida have found a way to “cork”
nano tubes. The goal is a better way to deliver drugs such as for cancer
treatment. 15 May 2006
Water key to millions of gigabytes of
memory in a cubic centimetre
A computing principle popular in the 1960s, ferroelectricity, combined with
the novel technique of insulation with water molecules, could provide
computer memory of 12.8 million gigabytes in a cubic centimeter. 12 May 2006
University College London launches
nanotechnology masters degree
University College London (UCL) is introducing a full and part-time
nanotechnology master of science (MSc) course from September 2006 in
response to mounting industry demand for highly skilled graduates. 9 May
2006
 Zinc
oxide nanogenerators allow self-powered nanoscale medical devices
Researchers have developed a new technique for powering nanometer-scale
devices without the need for bulky energy sources such as batteries. By
converting mechanical energy into electricity, these “nanogenerators” could
make possible a new class of self-powered nanodevices. 27 April 2006
International Congress of
Nanobiotechnology & Nanomedicine call for papers. 29 March 2006
NEC develops smallest fibre-optic electric
field probe using nanotechnology
NEC Corporation has developed what it claims is the smallest fibre-optic
electric field probe, enabled through the adoption of a nanotechnology
process. The probe is used to evaluate electrical characteristics of
high-density electronic circuits. 27 February 2006
 High-speed
molecular imaging microscope
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have created a highly
sensitive atomic force microscope (AFM) capable of high-speed imaging 100
times faster than current microscopes. It could have a wide range of uses in
nanotechnology development. 26 February 2006
Testing method developed to assess safety and
health risks of nanomaterials
Nanomaterials are already being used in sporting goods, tyres, stain-resistant
clothing, sunscreens, cosmetics, and electronics, but no government or industry
regulations exist for this emerging technology. University College Los Angeles
(UCLA) has developed a new testing strategy for manufacturers. 15 February
2006
 Carbon
nanotubes wrapped in DNA act as optical sensors in cells
The nanotubes can be placed inside living cells and detect trace amounts of
harmful contaminants using infrared light. This could lead to new types of
subcellular optical sensors. 3 February 2006
 Nano-size
battery for artificial retina
A $6.5 million grant has been awarded to the University of Illinois to
establish the National Center for Design of Biomimetic Nanoconductors. One
of the first projects will be the development of a bio-battery for an
artificial retina. 31 January 2006
Nanotechnology shows little return for US$18bn investment
Nanotechnology has had limited commercial impact despite US$18bn public
funding worldwide since 1997, according to a report by Cientifica. 30
January 2006
Two international nanotechnology
conferences announced
International Association of Nanotechnology has announced two major
international conferences: the International Congress on Nanobiotechnology &
Nanomedicine (NanoBio 2006) in June and the International Congress of
Nanotechnology (ICNT) in October, both in San Francisco. 15 January
2006
Nanotechnology and nanomedicine course
online
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) has
launched its first online course, "Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine:
Applications for Vision". 10 January 2006
Protozoan power for nano-scale devices
A single-celled animal first observed 300 years ago could hold the key
to powering tiny medical devices. Researchers have come a step closer to
understanding how a powerful microscopic spring in the protozoan Vorticella
convallaria works. 18 December 2005
 Nano-scale
medical devices could be wired with unravelled DNA strands
Ohio State University researchers have uncoiled DNA strands and formed them
into precise patterns. They could act as wires in biologically based
nano-scale electronic and medical devices. 18 December 2005
Europe needs major investment in medical
applications of nanotechnology
The European Science Foundation (ESF) has called for a clear strategy and
investment plan to ensure Europe does not miss out on the benefits of
nanomedicine. 18 December 2005
La Fondation européenne pour la
science prévient que, sans investissements majeurs, nous perdrons les
avantages offerts par la nanomédecine. 19 Decembre 2005
La Fundación Europea de la Ciencia
advierte que los beneficios de la nanociencia se perderán sin inversiones
importantes. 19 Diciembre 2005
European Science Foundation warnt
davor, dass der Nutzen der Nanomedizin ohne grössere Investitionen verloren
geht. 19 Dezember 2005
More resources needed to study dangers of
nanotechnology
A new inventory of research into the environmental, health, and safety
aspects of nanotechnology shows the need for more resources, for a coherent
risk-related research strategy, and for more collaboration. 18 December 2005
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