Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors
Heifer International



Home > Press > Bucky MESH score big for biomedical applications

Abstract:
The biocompatibility of Carbon nanotube MESH has been demonstrated, and is ready to be engineered into therapeutic delivery systems.

Bucky MESH cover a host of ills for biomedical applications

San Jose, CA | Posted on January 26, 2006

By Nick Massetti

The biocompatibility of Carbon nanotube MESH has been demonstrated, and is ready to be engineered into therapeutic delivery systems. Such marvels promise to impact those stubborn medical conditions like the $150 Billion/year problem of Diabetes. This revelation was among the latest results in the area of biomedical applications of nanotechnology that were presented by Doctor David Loftus at the January monthly seminar of the IEEE San Francisco Bay Area Nanotechnology Council.

Dr. Loftus is a practicing Hematology Oncologist on the adjunct clinical faculty of the Stanford University School of Medicine. In addition, at NASA AMES Research Center he is affiliated with both the Center for Nanotechnology and the Live Sciences Division where he serves as the Medical Director of Hematology Oncology Projects. He is uniquely positioned to see the pieces of the promise coming together for the near term biomedical applications of nanotechnology.

He described how specially engineered CNT mesh, dubbed "Bucky Paper," was introduced into one of the body's most reactive environments without negative consequences. Construction of millimeter sized vehicles from rolls of this nano-engineered bucky paper are underway in order to house biochemicals or live cells that would otherwise be rejected by the body's defenses. Insulin delivery pumps, nerve growth guides, and chemotherapy torpedoes are examples of macro-sized vehicles with macro-sized payloads that bucky paper enables. The porous nature of the mesh allows nutrients to penetrate while shielding its cargo from the likes of antibodies, or a tumor's defenses. Equally possible are biosensors designed to detect specific protein sequences and facilitate rapid diagnosis. Biocompatible Bucky Paper then enables our well known nano-sized Carbon tubes to be conveniently transformed into a macro sized, and therefore useful, medical application tool.

Today, MDs are particularly frustrated over the lengthy diagnostic methodology which starts with a tissue biopsy and then adds lab microscopic analysis toward a later completed diagnosis. Subsequent treatments may include chemotherapy delivered indiscriminately to the entire circulatory system. But diseases like coronary artery disease, diabetes, and many cancers largely affect the body locally and have well defined biochemistries. Locally delivered nanotechnology engineered substances hold the promise of providing in-situ detection and diagnosis which then would be followed by localized treatment.

Pressed to guess at what and when these results will surface, Dr. Loftus volunteered that the "dumbest applications will be first." For example, the mechanical aspects of bucky paper could enable surface applications like wound healing to be realized within five to seven years. Therapeutic delivery may be up to ten years away. By his count there are at least 30 US companies now developing nanotechnology engineered encapsulation schemes. Given that innovation breeds innovation, biocompatible bucky paper may provide the boost needed to shorten the time tables toward the solution of many of today's medical challenges.

####
Contact:
Nick Massetti
nick@NMassettiConsulting.com

Copyright © Nick Massetti

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related News Press

Possible Futures

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers several steps closer to harnessing patient's own T-cells to fight off cancer June 6th, 2025

Researchers unveil a groundbreaking clay-based solution to capture carbon dioxide and combat climate change June 6th, 2025

Cambridge chemists discover simple way to build bigger molecules – one carbon at a time June 6th, 2025

A 1960s idea inspires NBI researchers to study hitherto inaccessible quantum states June 6th, 2025

Nanotubes/Buckyballs/Fullerenes/Nanorods/Nanostrings

Enhancing power factor of p- and n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes April 25th, 2025

Chainmail-like material could be the future of armor: First 2D mechanically interlocked polymer exhibits exceptional flexibility and strength January 17th, 2025

Innovative biomimetic superhydrophobic coating combines repair and buffering properties for superior anti-erosion December 13th, 2024

Catalytic combo converts CO2 to solid carbon nanofibers: Tandem electrocatalytic-thermocatalytic conversion could help offset emissions of potent greenhouse gas by locking carbon away in a useful material January 12th, 2024

Nanomedicine

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers several steps closer to harnessing patient's own T-cells to fight off cancer June 6th, 2025

Cambridge chemists discover simple way to build bigger molecules – one carbon at a time June 6th, 2025

Electrifying results shed light on graphene foam as a potential material for lab grown cartilage June 6th, 2025

Self-propelled protein-based nanomotors for enhanced cancer therapy by inducing ferroptosis June 6th, 2025

Materials/Metamaterials/Magnetoresistance

Researchers unveil a groundbreaking clay-based solution to capture carbon dioxide and combat climate change June 6th, 2025

A 1960s idea inspires NBI researchers to study hitherto inaccessible quantum states June 6th, 2025

Institute for Nanoscience hosts annual proposal planning meeting May 16th, 2025

Superconductors: Amazingly orderly disorder: A surprising effect was discovered through a collaborative effort by researchers from TU Wien and institutions in Croatia, France, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland, and the US during the investigation of a special material: the atoms are May 14th, 2025

Announcements

INRS and ELI deepen strategic partnership to train the next generation in laser science:PhD students will benefit from international mobility and privileged access to cutting-edge infrastructure June 6th, 2025

Electrifying results shed light on graphene foam as a potential material for lab grown cartilage June 6th, 2025

Quantum computers simulate fundamental physics: shedding light on the building blocks of nature June 6th, 2025

A 1960s idea inspires NBI researchers to study hitherto inaccessible quantum states June 6th, 2025

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE




  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More











ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project