NANOTECHNOLOGY TO TREAT CANCER

Nanotechnology To Treat Cancer
U.S. - A team of researchers from Harvard University and the Institute of Technology Massachusetts (MIT) has developed a new way of treating cancer by administering the treatment only to diseased cells without killing cells.

Current treatments against cancer certainly target the diseased cells but also reach those in good health. This new treatment will prevent the growth of cancer cells with cytotoxic agents, while preserving tissue not involved.

This team of researchers led by Dr Basu has made chemically modified nanoparticles to target and prevent signaling pathway proteins providing cellular proliferation. By blocking these signaling pathways, cancer cells were not able to multiply.

Nanoparticles target cancer cells while and allow chemotherapy agents act directly on them. Targeting only those cells and predispose them to receive treatment would use doses of medication weaker and more tailored to the patient. Side effects are less evident and treatment easier to live for the patient.

Tests performed in the laboratory, combining nanoparticles and a drug cisplatin (which is used to treat several types of cancer) have demonstrated the effectiveness of this process to inhibit the development of cancerous cells and even kill them. Tests on mice with melanoma have also proved inconclusive. In the group of mice treated with the combination of nanoparticles and the drug, 50% of mice had their tumors regress, no cons in the group treated with medication alone.

A NEW TECHNIQUE OF MAGNETIC DETOXIFICATION OF BLOOD

A New Technique Of Magnetic Detoxification Of Blood
South Korea - Researchers at the Jinju National University have discovered a new way to rid the blood of some metal.

A team of researchers has identified a receiver that attaches securely and only lead in the body. She has designed a magnetic nanoparticle containing a nickel alloy, equipped with this receiver. By injecting these particles into the bloodstream and then performing dialysis to remove particulate matter and lead with a magnet, the blood is thoroughly cleaned.

Lead poisoning, lead infection, can cause memory loss, anemia, and even paralysis. Detoxification magnetic early and safe, because hemoglobin is not affected by magnetic fields. Tests on human blood are very satisfactory.

The magnetic approach could now look to other types of particles in the blood. The radioactive toxins, cholesterol, alcohol and even drugs could thus be eliminated from the blood, they are associated with good nanoparticle.

THE SILVER NANOPARTICLES TO PREVENT BLOOD CLOTS

The Silver Nanoparticles To Prevent Blood Clots
India - The team of Dr. Dash of Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi has discovered an alternative to aspirin and other anticoagulants in preventing the formation of blood clots. A discovery size in the treatment of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Their study involves particles of silver which is about 1/50,000th the diameter of a human hair — that are injected into the bloodstream.

Although the silver nanoparticles have already shown their antibacterial properties, the team of Dr. Dash noted in laboratory tests their ability to prevent clotting. To Dr. Dash, this discovery is innovative because the properties of silver nanoparticles were previously unknown.

The nanoparticles have indeed the capacity to prevent the cohesion of platelets and thus the formation of blood clots. Tests have shown that injection of these silver nanoparticles could be reduced by nearly 40% rate of bleeding without apparent side effects.

A blood clot located in a vein or artery can cause a heart attack or embolism or a stroke if the clot migrates to the lungs or brain.

The silver nanoparticles are already used as an antibacterial agent in some toothpastes, socks absorbing odors or filtration systems water.

NEW WAY TO TREAT ADDICTION

New Way To Treat Addiction
U.S. - Researchers from the University of Buffalo have developed a new nanoparticle that can disable a gene involved in many forms of addiction.

The team of researchers has discovered a way to "turn off" the signal sent by the brain protein DARPP-32 neurons, which indicates the drug addiction. The short interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNA), cellular components were fixed on nanoparticels of gold using nano-rods.

Modified and stabilized, these bars microscopic penetrate better into the cells. In the case of siRNA, the nano-bar may carry 40% of the acid through the blood-brain barrier, a result judged very high by the researchers. The "nano-bar complex siRNA" is able to extinguish the signal of the gene, remain stable and cross this barrier without being affected in its effectiveness.

This technique could allow the treatment of addiction. In vivo tests should be made in the hope of adding a new pharmaceutical agent to the existing arsenal in the fight against addiction. It could also be applied to Parkinson's disease, cancer and, in general, any condition requiring medication administration in the brain.

More information:
See the paper, Nanotechnology approach for drug addiction therapy: Gene silencing using delivery of gold nanorod-siRNA nanoplex in dopaminergic neurons , in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

THE NANOTECHNOLOGY AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

The Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine
On the occasion of a presentation he gave at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington last April 23, Samuel Stupp, professor at Northwestern University and director of IBNAM (Institute for Bionanotechnology in Medicine) has shown how Nanotechnology could be used to mobilize the repair capacity of the body to regenerate tissues or organs.

To illustrate his point, he presented the results he has obtained in laboratory mice paralyzed as a result of injuries of the spine, and have regained the use of their legs only 6 weeks after injection of a nanomaterial appropriate. By injecting molecules designed to self assemble to form nano fibers in the tissues of the spinal cord, it was possible to repair and make recroître damaged neurons. During their training, the nano fibers are located in areas of tissue where they activate some biological processes that allow cells to repair the damage.

The team of Sam Stupp has also found that these nano fibers were able to direct the differentiation of stem cells to the production of neurons. These developments may have implications in Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's diseases for which brain cells cease to function normally.

Sat Stupp presented preliminary results obtained in collaboration with Canadian and Mexican teams that show a significant improvement of symptoms of Parkinson's disease in mice treated with the nanostructures developed in his laboratory. He also committed in association with Jon Lomasney, associate professor of pathology at Northwestern University, a study to exploit the same type of nano fibers to restore the functionality of the heart after infarction. This builds on work that was published in 2006 and show that by using heparin, an organic polymer capable of binding to growth factors involved in angiogenesis, can be formed by self - assembling nanofibers that promote the formation of new blood vessels in vivo.

More Information:
- http://stupp.northwestern.edu/

DNA CONTORTIONIST

DNA Contortionist
Researchers have found a way that DNA strands are twisted to give different forms, which may one day be used to fabricate nanoscale systems to provide drugs to the body, train or study tissue samples of proteins. Their discovery offers the potential for nanotechnology to construct objects with continuous curvature.

Hendrik Dietz and his colleagues describe in the latest issue of Science (reference Article 1 below) how the nanoscale curved objects such as wheels, arches, hooks. They designed beams DNA helices arranged in a honeycomb. Some of these propellers have additional base pairs, while others have less, thus creating tensions across useful for assembling beams curved objects.

Using this method the researchers have managed to control the direction and degree of curvature, even going back to molecules with angles very closed. The authors were able to combine different elements curved in order to build complex shapes such as balls or sprockets.

Yan Liu and Hao Yan back on the job in a related Perspective article (reference section 2 below).
--
References:
Article 1: Folding DNA into Twisted and Curved Nanoscale Shapes
Authors: Hendrik Dietz, Shawn M. Douglas, William M. Shih
Journal Publication: Science

Article 2: Designer Curvature
Authors: Y. Liu and H. Yan
Journal Publication: Science

NANOTECHNOLOGY - MULTIPLE PICTURES

Nanotechnology - Multiple Pictures
Nanotechnologies represent multiple challenges for the future.

Used in various areas, these could revolutionize many areas of research. Discover in pictures some of these small particles, which are perhaps a great move.

A NANOPARTICLE

NANOTECHNOLOGY -CHALLENGES, EXPECTATIONS, DANGERS

NANOTECHNOLOGY - LABORATORY APPLICATIONS

THE GLOBAL RACE FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY HAS BEGUN

NANOTECHNOLOGY - THE FUTURE OF MAN

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN THE CENTER OF PUBLIC DEBATE

NANOTECHNOLOGY IS THE REAL PLUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

NANOTECHNOLOGY IS THE SOURCE OF MANY QUESTIONS

NANOTECHNOLOGY : BENEFITS AND THREATS

Nanotechnology : Benefits and Threats

For almost 20 years that nanotechnology prominently in public discourse.
These companies represent a very interesting alternative for humans. They could enable many advances, particularly in the medical field. They embody an idea of progress but we must still point out that nanotechnology is between promises and threats.

To explore this issue:

• A new tool to repair the human brain: the nanotubes
• "A substance that is known to cope with shocks
• The effects of nanotechnology on the environment
• "New prostheses through nanotechnology
• "Nanotechnology at the heart of public debate

1. A new tool to repair the human brain: the nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes could be used to repair brain material.

The study shows that carbon nanotubes are in contact with neuronal cell membranes to create shortcuts that generate neural excitation. This observation raises the hope of using nanotubes to repair certain lesions affecting the nervous system.


2. A substance that is known to cope with shocks
Helmets fighting British troops will soon be equipped. This is a revolutionary gel that hardens instantly on impact, absorbing the transition a lot of energy.

Richard Palmer, head of the laboratory that developed D3O substance, explains: "The freezing works at a molecular level. When they are moved at low speeds, the molecules slide against each other but in case of severe impact, the shaking violently, they cling and "lock", turning the gel into a solid material and absorbing large amounts of energy. " In case of bullet impact, the soldiers are thus effectively protected the head.


3. The effects of nanotechnology on the environment
Researchers studied the impact of nanoparticles used in the field of nanotechnology on the environment.

The goal is to understand and predict the possible effects of nanotechnology on the environment. These new technologies could thus be developed accordingly, in anticipation of possible adverse effects. Among the issues addressed, the study found nanoparticles of aging or degradation of nanomaterials.

4. New dentures through nanotechnology
A process using recent findings conducted in the field of nanotechnology has been used to produce new metal surfaces.

It provides medical implant-quality helping to facilitate healing and acceptance of metallic prostheses in the human body. The results of this study, the surfaces can stimulate cells directly, which eliminates the need to avoid certain drugs and, at the same time, side effects. This innovative approach could ultimately lead to the development of smart materials that not only would be accepted easily by the human body but, again, respond actively to the surrounding biological environment.


5. Heart of public debate
The Minister for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Spatial Planning has set conditions for the development and regulation of nanotechnology in the center of public debate.

This debate is part of the bill on the implementation of the Grenelle Environment. Indeed, nanotechnology issues are very important, particularly in the areas of competitiveness and innovation. However, their effects on the environment raise many questions. The Committee will report to the government after the discussion period to help the state's decisions regarding nanotechnology.