http://www.utilisegold.com/news/ Directory of global suppliers across science, technology, industrial, medical and dental uses. The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited (Copyright) and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council. en info@gold.org Copyright 2009 http://www.utilisegold.com/news/2009/07/03/story/12409/gold_has_helped_raise_the_profile_of_nanotechnology http://www.utilisegold.com/news/2009/07/03/story/12409/gold_has_helped_raise_the_profile_of_nanotechnology
Speaking to MSNBC, Chad Mirkin of Northwestern University in the US noted that the subject has become more approachable in recent years and is now an "appealing" topic due to the fact that it involves the miniaturisation of materials.

"What we do with gold is a beautiful example," he told the news source. "You can miniaturise gold to the nanometre-length scale to make … little particles."

Explaining that in the Middle Ages gold particles were used to create red dots for stained-glass windows, Mr Mirkin stated that there are a lot of "neat applications" for the technology, including using gold nanoparticles to locate diseases and improve diagnostic techniques.

Mr Mirkin, who is the director of the International Institute for Nanotechnology at the university, recently won the $500,000 (£306,000) Lemelson-MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) award for his work in the sector.
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According to Nanowerk, a researcher at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has used the precious metal to manufacture a sensitive nanoprobe that can highlight the presence of certain oxygen species.

Ros may occur due to factors such as smoking, lack of sleep or exposure to drugs and is often associated with ageing and cancer.

It is hoped the breakthrough will enable it to be used as an early indicator of the presence of various diseases.

"The fluorescent gold nanoprobes that we have developed highlight the future possibilities of gold nanoparticles-based imaging probes that can exceed conventional chemical imaging probes," researcher Hyukjin Lee told the news source.

He added that the gold nanoprobes are very stable when exposed to factors such as natural light and lasers.

In related news, research from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science recently proved that gold grains can help improve the wellbeing of animals suffering from joint pain.
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Teams of researchers in Israel and the US have employed the precious metal in a demonstration of the differences between individual molecules adsorbed on small and large molecules, Spectroscopy Now reports.

The work may lead to a development in the area of Raman spectroscopy, which is used to examine the unique properties of individual molecules.

Scientists utilised gold to synthesise nanoparticles made of silver, as doing so enabled the growth rate and size of the objects to be controlled more precisely.

"Clear and systematic differences are observed between Raman spectra of individual molecules adsorbed on small versus large particles," the team explained.

US researchers at Vanderbilt University have also used gold to develop a new way of detecting the respiratory syncytial virus.

The work, recorded in the Analyst journal, could help to advance the treatment of such viruses as the new method can locate infections faster than current techniques.
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David Wright and Frederick Haselton of Vanderbilt University suggested in the Analyst journal that the method could help to solve a problem that has restricted improvements within the field of respiratory medicine, ANI reports.

"We hope that our research will help us break out of the catch-22 that is holding back major advances in the treatment of respiratory viruses," Mr Wright commented.

DNA hairpins are attached to gold filaments as part of the 'virus detector', which can identify RSV - the chief cause of respiratory problems among young children - in the early stages.

It can spot infection at lower levels than current laboratory tests within a few minutes and is capable of being used in a doctor's surgery.

Gold has also been utilised recently by a team from the University of British Columbia in their diagnostic medicine experiments.
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A new study by Gry Tove Jaeger, based on research carried out in the US in the 1970s, has suggested that grains of the precious metal can prolong the lifespan of dogs suffering from hip dysplasia.

The scientist, based at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, used two groups of the canines in her research, one of which had gold grains introduced to their joints while the other acted as a control.

After a period of six months, the research showed that dogs with the gold implants were in less pain and were more mobile than those which had not received the treatment, while following a two-year lifespan 80 per cent had shown signs of improvement.

In related news, scientists at the University of Tokyo have recently developed new structures made from DNA, which can be used to create platforms for gold nanoparticles.
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According to Carbon Nanoprobes, based in Philadelphia, the precious metal is included in the microscopes to help produce a three-dimensional image of the substance being studied, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports.

The surface of a cantilever within the machine is coated with a layer of gold, which then vibrates when a tip made from carbon nanotubes is dragged over the surface of the studied matter.

This, in turn, changes the angle of the laser being used in the microscope, resulting in an image of the material being produced.

Gold has had a role in the development of a number of medical breakthroughs.

Last week, scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced they have utilised the precious metal in the development of a test for the chemical melamine, which caused a number of deaths in the country in 2008.
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A team at the University of British Colombia have added a layer of the precious metal measuring 100 nanometres in thickness to a slab of silicon nitrate, through which holes were then drilled using a laser.

This was part of the creation of a highly responsive sensor array, which can be used to detect biomolecules without the need for an additional optical label.

Once this had been completed, an antibody that attracts a biomarker protein known as PAX8 was attracted to the layer of gold found inside the pre-drilled holes.

The scientists discovered that the new device detected PAX8 up to six times faster than previous measurement techniques, something that could increase the speed at which diseases are diagnosed.

In related news, researchers at Cornell University recently announced they used nanotechnology to devise small containers that can deliver drugs into the bloodstream.
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Researchers in the US have proven that nanorods made from the precious metal are more effective than spherical alternatives at eliminating cancer in animal test subjects.

Led by Sangeeta Bhatia of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Michael Sailor from the University of California, San Diego, a team of scientists carried out tests that concluded gold nanorods coated with polyethylene glyco can remain in the bloodstream for approximately 17 hours, meaning they can accumulate within cancer tumours.

A near infrared laser is then used on the test subject, which heats the nanorods to temperatures of up to 70 degrees C, therefore destroying the cancer cells.

This research is the latest in a series of experiments designed to test the effectiveness of gold in treatment of the disease, with scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently using the metal in the development of a 'chemical nose' that can detect cancer.
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Makoto Komiyama and Akinori Kuzuya, scientists at the University of Tokyo, created the structures after expanding their work in the field of two-dimensional 'nanotechnology origami' and exploring possibilities in the third dimension, Chemical Science reports.

The structures are designed in such a way that a molecule made from the precious metal can be placed inside before extra DNA strands are added to close the box.

Mr Komiyama told the news source that the boxes are similar in size to virus capsids - which are increasingly being used as nanocontainers - but are easier to modify.

However, he explained that the process is still difficult, noting that tests need to be carried out to investigate whether "useful guests like proteins will enter such a small space and stay there".

Gold nanoparticles have a variety of different applications and earlier this year scientists at the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences in Singapore suggested that they can be used to develop thin coatings for LCD screens.
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Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have used dye-containing nanoparticles manufactured by Intel to develop new imaging technology that could result in the ability to measure over 100 features of cells, AZoNano reports.

Led by Cathy Shachaf, the team of scientists believes the breakthrough will enable them to track changes to intracellular proteins, which could give them the ability to diagnose cancer earlier.

It may also be possible to improve the development of chemotherapeutic drugs and although scientists are currently only able to view cells on slides, in the future they could be able to examine moving cells using technology similar to the flow cytometry scanning chambers that are already available.

Gold has also been used by scientists at the University of South Carolina's NanoCenter, who utilised nanoparticles made from the precious metal in a study into the effect such materials could have on marine life.
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Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have worked to ensure the bill was passed and it will now go before the full Senate Appropriations Committee.

If approved, the money will be used by the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering to invest further in the development of new nanoscale production, something that often involves the use of gold.

"This is a great investment for the state of the art research at our world class facility at University at Albany," Senator Gillibrand stated.

She added that nanotechnology research and development is a "critical part" of economic growth, noting that she will continue working to ensure that New York "receives its fair share of federal dollars".

Elsewhere in the nanotechnology sector, Nicholas Chan, a Hong Kong government official, recently stated that the country aims to increase its investment in nanotechnology in order to become a world leader in the market.
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A team led by Professor Michael Overduin of the University of Birmingham in the UK have found a way of stabilising protein, which may result in the number of proteins being available for study increasing by up to 30 per cent.

"We have shown how a polymer can wrap around and preserve membrane proteins intact in stable nanoparticles," Professor Overduin explained.

He added that finding a way of preserving the "structure and activity" of proteins during experimentation had "eluded scientists for decades".

The research, which was jointly led by Dr Tim Dafforn, has been published in the journal of the American Chemical Society.

Researchers in China recently used gold nanoparticles combined with cyanuric acid in the development of a method for detecting melamine, according to Ars Technica.
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Researchers at Cornell University have conducted a study concluding that the method - which is said to be almost 100 per cent efficient - could be used to treat cancer and other diseases by introducing drugs or genetic material into the body.

Gold is often utilised in the development of such materials and Michael King, associate professor of biomedical engineering at the university, explained that the work "extends the range of therapies" that will be available.

"We can introduce just about any drug or genetic material that can be encapsulated and it is delivered to any circulating cells that are specifically targeted," he explained.

The work of Mr King, who co-authored the report alongside Zhong Huang of the Shenzhen University School of Medicine in China, has been published in the online version of the Gene Therapy journal.

Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently announced they have used gold in the development of a 'chemical nose' that can detect cancer cells.
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A study by Global Industry Analysts has concluded that the market for nanomedicine - in which gold is often used in the development of drugs and treatments - will continue to grow in the coming years.

The research firm cited new product launches, a rise in funding and "increased hype" surrounding nanotechnology as reasons for the expected expansion, noting that the sector has the "capability to significantly change the course of treatment of life-threatening diseases".

"Nanomedicine enhances efficacy and significantly minimises adversities associated with standard therapeutics," the company stated.

It added that the largest area is likely to be the drug delivery market, however it predicted that the biggest rate of growth over the next six years will be in the biomaterial segment.

Earlier this year the UK government outlined a number of proposals for increasing the use of nanotechnology in the country, noting that it is "committed" to developing the sector.
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Nicholas Chan, assistant commissioner for innovation and technology, told the Sino-Italian TechX forum that the territory has solid fundamentals in place for the development of nanotechnology, Xinhua reports.

He said that Hong Kong has "excellent upstream research" in the sector - in which gold is often a key component - and added that it has already made "world-class achievements" in the development of nanotubes.

Over 12 per cent of the HK$4 billion (£316 million) spent by the Innovation and Technology Fund over the past decade has been invested in nanotech, Mr Chan remarked, adding that the funding has been used in the areas of "bioinformatics, molecular diagnostics [and] drug and therapeutic discovery and development".

New York has also made nanotechnology research a priority, with governor David Paterson recently announcing plans to increase investment in the sector.
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Moscow's Central Exhibition Complex has been chosen as the venue for the event, which is set to take place on October 6th-8th, Nanowerk News reports.

The Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies (Rusnano) is to present the inaugural Nanotechnology International Prize at the meeting in order to celebrate achievements made in the sector - where gold is often a commonly-used material.

Antoly Chubais, chief executive of Rusnano, said that the body hopes to build on the success of 2008's event.

"The forum has become an international platform for communication between science and business," he was quoted as saying, adding that over 9,000 people from 33 countries were in attendance in December of last year.

In related news, the University of Sheffield in the UK recently revealed that a one-day nanotechnology event will be taking place next month, organised in partnership with the Institute of Nanotechnology.
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Dr Christian Colliex from Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, Universite Paris Sud at Orsay will be presented with the 2009 Holweck Medal and Prize in recognition of his achievements.

He has pioneered the use of the electron microscope to study nanomaterials - which are often produced using gold - and enable scientists to improve their understanding of the electronic structure of such materials.

Philip Diamond of the Institute of Physics explained that Dr Colliex has "a highly sophisticated understanding" of nanostructures.

"Christian Colliex is a dynamic and innovative researcher," Mr Diamond remarked, adding that he has "made pioneering contributions" in the sector.

The news comes following the announcement that Professor Chad Mirkin of Northwestern University's International Institute for Nanotechnology has received a $500,000 (£308,000) grant as part of a Lemelson-MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) award for nanotechnology research.
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A group of researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have employed the precious metal in their research into ways of detecting the substance, which was at the centre of a baby milk health scare in the country last year, Ars Technica reports.

Led by Lehui Lu, the team attached cyanuric acid to gold nanoparticles in order to turn them red. When they come into contact with melamine, the cyanuric acid detects the chemical and causes the nanoparticles to turn blue, indicating that melamine is present.

The test has been proved to work with contaminated and uncontaminated milk samples, but the scientists are hoping to develop the technique further so that it is effective when used in solid foods such as eggs.

Researchers have also used gold in the development of nanorobots, which are to be tested at the RoboCup event in Austria later this month.
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Professor Chad Mirkin, who is the director of Northwestern University's International Institute for Nanotechnology in the US, has been given the Lemelson-MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) award for making "revolutionary advancements" in the sector.

He has previously employed nanostructures made from the precious metal in research into ways of detecting diseases such as Alzheimer's and he has also founded a company - Aurasense - which focuses on the use of nanotechnology in the areas of oncology and heart disease.

Mr Mirkin is to be presented with the award at the three-day EurekaFest event, which begins at MIT tomorrow (June 25th).

Earlier this year scientists at the University of Leicester in the UK were awarded a £321,000 grant to enable them to continue investigating the uses of nanotechnology to tackle prostate cancer.
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A team of scientists led by Vincent Rotello and Joseph Jerry have employed the precious metal in the production of the cancer detection device, which is constructed using an array of nanoparticles and polymers.

As well as establishing the differences between healthy and cancerous cells, the researchers are also able to identify metastatic and non-metastatic cancer cells.

"The chemical nose can be designed to alert doctors of the most invasive cancer types, those for which early treatment is crucial," Mr Rotello explained.

He said that the team intends to work on developing the nose to give more precise feedback to doctors, adding that a wider variety of nanoparticles will be added in order to improve the results that are gathered.

The precious metal is often used in the development of cancer treatment techniques, with Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers recently suggesting gold nanorods could help destroy malignant cells.
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