'Nanoprobes' For Better
Nanobiotechnology, a specialised field of utilizing nanotechnology for
biotechnology, is an emerging area within nanotech. Nanobiomaterials
specifically could significantly impact the medical sector.
The US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory is amongst a
host of organizations exploring nanotech for various applications, including
medical uses. A research group lead by Tuan Vo-Dinh has developed a novel
nanoprobe that has the potential to be employed in various applications.
Commenting about the research work, Vo-Dinh says in a press statement, "The
significance of this work is that we are now able to perform direct analysis
of samples--even dry samples--with no preparation of the surface." Based on
the light scattering technique, these nanoprobes could be utilized to detect
and analyze drugs, chemicals and even explosives--at a single-molecule
level. Vo-Dinh continues, "Also, the small scale of the nanoprobe
demonstrates the potential for detection in nanoscale environments, such as
at the intracellular level."
The nanoprobe has been developed by tapering an optical fiber at a tip
measuring a minuscule 100 nm. Additionally, a very thin coating of silver
nanoparticles helps to enhance the Raman scattering effect of the light.
(The phenomenon of light reflection from an object when illuminated by a
laser light is referred to as Raman Scattering.)The reflected light
demonstrates vibration energies unique to each object (samples in this
case), which can be characterised and identified. The silver nanoparticles
in this technique provides for the rapid oscillations of electrons, adding
to vibration energies, and thus enhancing Raman Scattering--commonly known
as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). These SERS nanoprobes produce
higher electromagnetic fields enabling higher signal output--eventually
resulting in accurate detection and analysis of samples.
This project has been funded by the Department of Energy's Office of
Biological and Environmental Research and the Laboratory Directed Research
and Development program. Environmental monitoring, intracellular sensing and
medical diagnostics are some of the immediate application capabilities.
Apart from these, ultrasensitive detection tools could be developed based on
this research work.
Tuan Vo-Dinh, Principle Investigator, Life Sciences Division
Advanced Biomedical Science and Technologies Group
Ridge National Laboratory
Box 2008 Oak Ridge, TN 37831
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