Home > Press > Researcher inspired by life in a glass house awarded £1.3 million
Abstract:
A scientist at the University of Bristol has been awarded £1.3 million to unlock the secrets of miniscule algae cells that have the remarkable ability to produce silica - the fundamental constituent of glass. It is hoped the findings from the research could lead to the next generation of medical imaging tools.
Researcher inspired by life in a glass house awarded £1.3 million
Bristol, England | Posted on October 20th, 2011Inspired by the diatoms, a type of algae dubbed 'Nature's nanotechnologists', Dr Paul Curnow from the University's School of Biochemistry has been awarded the prestigious European Research Council (ERC)-funded grant to understand how diatom cells manipulate silica to coat themselves in an intricate outer sheath of clear glass.
Dr Curnow is already working with colleagues at Bristol to study a unique set of diatom proteins that recognise and transport soluble silica. The ERC grant, one of only 30 such grants awarded to UK bioscientists in 2011, will enable him to use these proteins to create a synthetic diatom that can behave as a novel 'nanoreactor' for the controlled synthesis of functional silicon nanomaterials.
Dr Curnow, Research Fellow, said: "Diatoms have found a way of controlling silica at the nanoscale that is very sophisticated and is far beyond what we can achieve in the lab. Learning the secrets of these remarkable cells should enable us to make new catalysts, sensors, diagnostic devices and medical imaging tools."
Nanotechnology is the study of materials and processes that occur at nanometre length scales, typically around 100,000 times smaller than a millimetre. At this miniscule size, many materials exhibit unusual properties that are commercially valuable. The global market for nanotechnology products is expected to be worth $1,000 billion by 2015.
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Caroline Clancy
44-117-928-8086
Copyright © University of Bristol
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:
| Related News Press |
Chemistry
Breaking carbon–hydrogen bonds to make complex molecules November 8th, 2024
News and information
Beyond wires: Bubble technology powers next-generation electronics:New laser-based bubble printing technique creates ultra-flexible liquid metal circuits November 8th, 2024
Nanoparticle bursts over the Amazon rainforest: Rainfall induces bursts of natural nanoparticles that can form clouds and further precipitation over the Amazon rainforest November 8th, 2024
Nanotechnology: Flexible biosensors with modular design November 8th, 2024
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy
New discovery aims to improve the design of microelectronic devices September 13th, 2024
Physicists unlock the secret of elusive quantum negative entanglement entropy using simple classical hardware August 16th, 2024
Single atoms show their true color July 5th, 2024
Possible Futures
Nanotechnology: Flexible biosensors with modular design November 8th, 2024
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
Turning up the signal November 8th, 2024
Nanofibrous metal oxide semiconductor for sensory face November 8th, 2024
Nanomedicine
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
Unveiling the power of hot carriers in plasmonic nanostructures August 16th, 2024
Sensors
Beyond wires: Bubble technology powers next-generation electronics:New laser-based bubble printing technique creates ultra-flexible liquid metal circuits November 8th, 2024
Nanotechnology: Flexible biosensors with modular design November 8th, 2024
Nanofibrous metal oxide semiconductor for sensory face November 8th, 2024
Groundbreaking precision in single-molecule optoelectronics August 16th, 2024
Materials/Metamaterials/Magnetoresistance
Nanoscale CL thermometry with lanthanide-doped heavy-metal oxide in TEM March 8th, 2024
Focused ion beam technology: A single tool for a wide range of applications January 12th, 2024
Announcements
Nanotechnology: Flexible biosensors with modular design November 8th, 2024
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
Turning up the signal November 8th, 2024
Nanofibrous metal oxide semiconductor for sensory face November 8th, 2024
Grants/Sponsored Research/Awards/Scholarships/Gifts/Contests/Honors/Records
New discovery aims to improve the design of microelectronic devices September 13th, 2024
Physicists unlock the secret of elusive quantum negative entanglement entropy using simple classical hardware August 16th, 2024
Atomic force microscopy in 3D July 5th, 2024
Aston University researcher receives £1 million grant to revolutionize miniature optical devices May 17th, 2024
Nanobiotechnology
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
The mechanism of a novel circular RNA circZFR that promotes colorectal cancer progression July 5th, 2024
 |
||
 |
||
| The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
 |
||
|
|
||
| Premium Products | ||
 |
||
|
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
|
|
||