Large Area, Nanoimprint-assisted Micro-Contact Stripping
Here we present a contact-stripping method for micro-patterning nano-bead arrays, based on structured poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) stamps and using a nanoimprinter apparatus, which allows careful control of the temperature and pressure during the contactstripping.  [more] |
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Ethical and Social Issues in Nanobiotechnologies
The publication highlighted here is mainly concerned with the possible ethical and social implications of nanobiotechnology. The discussion of these aspects of nanobiotechnology has only just begun. However, almost all people concerned agree that nanobiotechnology will raise ethical and social questions when applied to areas like medicine or environment, for example. [more] |
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Application of Digital Holographic Microscopy to Investigate the Sedimentation of Intact
Red Blood Cells and their Interaction with Artificial Surfaces
This method represents a new set-up allowing a contact-less and marker-free
quantitative phase-contrast imaging of living cells under conventional laboratory conditions. With the applied technique we were able to detect and analyse fast shape changes of red blood cells. [more] |
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Nanorians Explain the Potentials and Applications of Nanoparticles
Nanorians? You haven’t heard of them yet? That is not astonishing as these guys only can be imagined. They live in the nanoworld Nanoria and there they basically act like you and I do in our world. Before you get to know who the Nanorians are, "nano” has to be clarified. What does it mean? [more] |
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Field-Dependent DNA Mobility in 20 nm High Nanoslits
Field-dependant DNA mobility in nanoslits was investigated in a cooperation between scientists of two Nano2Life members at the University in Twente (NL) and the university of Lund (SE). The results led to the conclusion that the classical interpretation of the transport behaviour of DNA under higher fields with the viscous friction models needs to be modified when taking these new results into account. [more] |
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Straightforward Protein Immobilization on Sylgard 184 PDMS Microarray Surface
As a contribution for a general route to biochip fabrication, this paper was published, introducing a new, simple, fast and reliable technique based both on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) moulding and chemical binding. [more] |
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Tracking nanoparticles in an Optical Microscope using Caustics
An elegant method is proposed and demonstrated for tracking the location and movement of nanoparticles in an optical microscope using the optical phenomenon of caustics. [more] |
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The European Landmark in Nanobiotech
Nano2Life's goal is to increase Europe's industrial competitiveness and scientific excellence in nanobiotechnology, by maximising the expertise and the knowledge accumulated by its partners. Now Nano2Life publicized it's major achievements. [more] |
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Endothelial Cells as Salt Sensors
Ingestion of large amounts of salt in the diet has been associated with increased blood pressure and harmful cardiovascular effects, but precisely how salt influences blood pressure is not clear. Oberleithner et al. describe experiments showing a direct effect of sodium on the physical stiffness of endothelial cells. The results indicate to a possible cause of the deleterious effects of hypertension. [more] |
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Nanobiotechnology of Biomimetic Membranes
Nanobiotechnology of Biomimetic Membranes describes the current state of research and development in biomimetic membranes for nanobiotechnology applications. The application areas in nanobiotechnology range from novel nanosensors, to novel methods for sorting and delivering bio-active moleculres, to novel drug-delivery systems. The success of these applications relies on a good understanding of the interaction and incorporation of macromoleculres in membranes and the funamental properties of the membrane itself. [more] |
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Mutant Chaperonin Proteins: New Tools for Nanotechnology
Is Nanobiotechnology new, true and important? Jonathan Trent from the NASA Ames Research Center and his co-workers show how nanotechnology could develop continued economic prosperity, global energy needs, and national security issues. They have been studying "heat shock protein 60" (HSP60) in organisms living at high temperatures, the so-called "thermophiles." Their work is focused on using nanbiotech methods to create enzyme arrays for biofuels production. [more] |
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A carbon Nanofibre Scanning Probe Assembled Using an Electrothermal Microgripper
A group of researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and University of Oldenburg (UO) have now shown "pick-and-place" assembly of a working device using a silicon gripper - a robotic "hand” some 10000 times smaller than a human hand. They managed to break off a sturdy carbon nanofibre, and position it at the pyramidal tip of an atomic force cantilever. [more] |
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Micromechanical Bending of Single Collagen Fibrils using Atomic Force Microscopy
A new micromechanical technique was developed to study the mechanical properties of single collagen fibrils. Single collagen fibrils, the basic components of the collagen fiber, have a characteristic highly organized structure. [more] |
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A CMOS-based Microelectrode Array for Interaction
with Neuronal Cultures
We report on the system integration of a CMOSchip that is capable of bidirectionally communicating (stimulation and recording) with electrogenic cells such as neurons or cardiomyocytes and that is targeted at investigating electrical signal propagation within cellular networks in vitro. [more] |
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Polypyrrole Nanopillars – a new generation for biosensor development
This paper describes a novel technique to produce polypyrrole-based nanoelectrodes for electrochemical detection purpose. The fabrication process relies on the creation of patterned nanotemplates i.e., nanometric gold spots surrounded by an electrically insulating material (SiOx). The authors carry out their research as members of the NanoBioTech project at JRC, Italy. [more] |
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Smart Pills – Responsive Drug Delivery Systems
Chantal Khan-Malek from CNRS, France reviewed a publication from researchers of the University of California dealing with drug delivery for the second EON report. ‘Smart pill', which integrates microbattery, biosensor, control circuitry, and even more devices all in one miniature system, has started attracting more and more interest. Such responsive drug delivery system offers many advantages over traditional drug delivery methods. [more] |
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Selective Release of DNA from the Surface of ITO Electrode Thin Films
A new challenge in biointerfacial science is the development of dynamic surfaces with the ability to adjust and tune the chemical functionality at the interface between the biological and nonbiological entities. This paper describes the fabrication of indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes and the design of a ligand that can be switched to enable selectively controlled interactions with DNA. [more] |
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Opinion on the Ethical Aspects of Nanomedicine (EGE)
The European Group on Ethics (EGE) acknowledge the promises nanomedicine offers to healthcare by applications in diagnostics, treatment and preventive methods. They insist on imposing adequate safety measures, stimulating public participation and prospective technology assessment and research on ethical, legal and social implications of nanomedicine. [more] |
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Controlled patterning of aligned self-assembled peptide nanotubes
The latest scientific results of Ehud Gazit and Meital Reches of the Tel Aviv University were featured as a cover story in the recent December issue of Nature Nanotechnology. Gazit’s research interests lie in the self-assembly of short aromatic peptides. He is member of Nano2Life and leader of SRPT "Nano Assemblies". [more] |
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Nanomedicine Strategic Research Agenda Published
The European Technology Platform Nanomedicine published its strategic research agenda in December 2006, before the first calls for proposals for the Seventh EU Framework Programme on RTD. About 20 researchers from Nano2Life were involved in the preparation of this paper. [more] |
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Integrated System for Analysis of the Progression of HIV
In the first report of the European Observatory for Nanobiotechnology Winnie Svendsen, MIC, Denmark, reviewed a publication on a point of care device targeting the analysis of HIV progression. The key issues of the microfluidic system and the novelty of the work are described. Svendsen evaluates the major impact and comments on potential market applications. [more] |
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