Nanotechnology in Early Detection of Cancer

Published

May 1, 2002

Author(s)

P R. Srinivas, Peter E. Barker, S Srivastava

Abstract

Nanotechnology is defined as the creation of functional materials, devices and systems through control of matter at the scale of 1 to 100 nanometers, and exploitation of novel properties and phenomena at the same scale.Advances in nanotechnolgy are thought to be the impetus for the Next Industrial Revolution by the National Nanotechnology Initiative. One potential application highlighted in the above Initiative is the detection of emergin diseases as a means for shifting focus from patient care towards early detection and prevention.Nanotechnology offers a novel set of tools for early detection of cancer. At a recent workshop organized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology on Nanotechnology in EarlyDetection of Cancer, nanotechnology experts from academia, industry and government institutions discussed the state of the art and explored and potential utility of nanotechnology for early cancer detection. Scientists active inthe field also explored the impact of nanotool applications and cancer research.The Workshop was held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology campuses on August the 30-31 of 2001 and was chaired by Drs. Lee Hood and George Whitesides. Topics included the use of lasers to measure optical deformability in cancer cells, detection, sensing and therapeutics through the use of nanopores and nanomaterials, molecular combing to detect genomic instability, molecular nanomechanics for detection of biomolecular interactions, dendrimers, nanodevices and nanotechnology platforms for sensing, delivery andtherapeutic applications.

Citation

Laboratory Investigation

Volume

82

Issue

No. 5

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

cancer detection, nanotechnology

Citation

Srinivas, P. , Barker, P. and Srivastava, S. (2002), Nanotechnology in Early Detection of Cancer, Laboratory Investigation (Accessed December 30, 2024)