Nanotechnology and advanced material – Breakout

1. Nanotechnology applications
in Biology and Medicine
Prof. Nedra Karunaratne

2. Applications of nanomaterials in biology
 Fluorescent biological labels
 MRI contrast enhancement
 Biodetection of pathogens
 Detection of proteins
 Separation and purification of biomolecules and cells.
 Probing of DNA structure
 Tumour destruction via heating (hyperthermia)
 Phagokinetic studies
 Tissue engineering
 Biosensors- Enzyme Electronic biosensors, etc.
 Biomineralization
 Drug and gene delivery-( later under DDM and encapsulation)

Ref. OV Salata. Journal of Nanobiotechnology 2004, 2:3

3. Fluorescent biological labels- Quantum Dots
Ten distinguishable emission colours of ZnS capped CdSe Quantum
Dots excited with a near UV lamp. From left to right (blue to red,
emission maxima are 443, 473, 481,500, 518, 543, 565, 587, 610 qnd
655nm.

4. Antigen/Antibody Immunocomplex from CdTe Nanoparticle Bioconjugates.
Nano Letters, 2 (2002) 817 - 822
Change in the colour when antigen binds the antibody

5. For optical measurements near IR ,UV & fluorescence emission
properties are mostly considered.
IR,UV & fluorescence detectors are used as instruments
Biophoton emission of AH109A, a rat hepatoma, with 107cells
transplanted into BALB-c nu/nu mice. Fluorescence of
nanoparticles
Fluorescence detection

6. Biodetection of Pathogens by DNA Hybridization
 A multianalyte biosensor that uses DNA
hybridization, magnetic micro beads and
giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors to
detect and identify biological warfare
agents. (BARC bead array counter)

7. Schematic diagram of the BARC chip surface chemistry and hybridization
assay.
Thiolated DNA probes are
patterned onto a gold layer
directly above the GMR sensors
on the BARC chip.
Biotinylated sample DNA is then
added and hybridizes with the
DNA probes on the surface when
the complementary sequence is
present.
Unbound sample DNA is
washed away.
Streptavidin coated magnetic
beads are injected over the chip
surface, binding to biotinylated
sample DNA hybridized on the
BARC chip.
Beads that are not specifically
bound are removed by applying a
magnetic field.
Bound beads are detected by the
GMR sensors.

8. Applications of Carbon nanotubes.
• CNT based microscopy: AFM, STM…
• Nanotube sensors: bio, chemical…
• Nanoscale reactors, ion channels
• Biomedical
 - Nanoelectrodes for implantation
 - Lab on a chip
 - DNA sequencing through AFM imaging
 - Artificial muscles
 - Vision chip for macular degeneration, retinal cell
transplantation

9. 3+
2+
e
3+
2+
Probe molecules for a given target can be
attached to CNT tips for biosensor development
Electrochemical approach: requires
nanoelectrode development using PECVD grown
vertical nanotubes
The signal can be amplified with metal ion
mediator oxidation
CNT Biosensors

10. Functionalized nanotubes:
Molecular structures of derivatised carbon
nanotubes- derivative (1) and mono (2) and bis (3) conjugates.
Ref. Chemistry & Biology 10 (2003) 961 - 966
Applications- Biological labelling, cancer diagnostics, Gene identification

11. Fabrication of Gene chip
Potential applications:
(1)Lab-on-a-chip applications
(2)Early cancer detection
(3)Infectious disease
detection
(4)Environmental monitoring
(5)Pathogen detection

12. Commercial Exploration-
 Advectus Life Science Inc Drug Delivery
 BASF Toothpaste
 Immunicon Cell Separation
 Evident Technol, Quantum Dot Corp. Luminescent biomarkers
 Nanoprobes Inc. Gold nanoparticles
 Biophan Technologies Inc. MRI Shielding
 Argonide Membrane filtration
 Enviro Systems Inc. Surface Disinfectants
 PSiVida Ltd. Tissue Engineering,implants,
drugs and gene delivery, bio-filtration.
 Smith & Nephew Acticoat bandages

13. Way ahead
 Fabrication of bioindicators for detection of
tropical diseases. (early detection of Malaria, Denghi,
Leptospirosis etc) Gene chip
 Membrane filtration (applications in water purification eg for
CKDu patients)
 Diagnostic kits. (detecting glucose and other metabolites)
 Delivery of nutrients in food (nanodelivery systems) and
agricultural (fertilizer) applications
 Applications in drug delivery (discussed separately)