Bimomedical Fluorescence Sensing

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Nanometrology

• Definition Distance measurements over 0.1 to
  100 nm
• But broader than this
• Time-resolved structural
  measurements
• Monitoring down to
  single-molecule/atom level

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Molecules -
Single
at the movies

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Relevance of Nanometrology
Precision/accuracy Doorway to many grand
challenge e.g. imaging single molecule dynamics
in cells in vivo understanding applying the
molecular basis of medicine

• Quantification relevant to Health Care
• e.g. establishing permitted safety levels
• safe nanoparticle sizes

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Status in 2004

• RS/ RAEng report on Nanoscience
  Nanotechnologies opportunities uncertainties
  (July 2004)
• DTI MNT Roadmap in metrology (September 2004)
• Highlighted need for more - training
• - networking
• - funding

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Recent findings
2005 International review of UK Physics
Astronomy
UK nanoscience lacks coherence and
international visibility
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2005 ESF forward look report on nanomedicine

• On research strategy
• Chemistry-physics-pharmacy-biology-medicine must
  work in concert
• Interdisciplinary Centres of Excellence should
  be established
• Need for interdisciplinary training at 1st and
  2nd degree level
• Lack of science graduates
• Recommends improved coordination networking

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2005 ESF forward look report on nanomedicine

• On regulation, safety, public understanding
• New regulatory authority guidelines must be
  developed...
• There should be a safety assessment of all
  manufacturing processes wrt environmental impact
• Improved understanding of toxicological
  implications
• Different public perception of nano hi-tech to
  nano pharmacy
• ........Communication - lack of scientifically
  qualified politicians
• On industry
• Threat - Overregulation inadequate funding for
  small companies

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Holistic issues
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Potential barriers to progress

• Lack of public buy-in
• Paralysis in trying to re-write the safety
  rule-book
• Lack of metrology standards
• Inadequate multidisciplinary and
  interdisciplinary structures
• Inadequate funding

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Recent funding - 2006 EPSRC Science and
Innovation Awards in Nanmetrology

• Aimed at enhancing UK capacity in nanometrology
• 10m investment in two initiatives
• gt Strathclyde University Kings College London
• gt Imperial College University College London

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Health Care or Health Concern?

• Needs a sense of perspective -
• Nanotechnology can offer new approaches to
  medicine e.g. targeted/controlled drug delivery,
  lab-on-a-chip, point of care health monitoring
  etc
• occurs naturally .carbon nanoparticles from
  flames, melanin in skin

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Flaming Nanoparticles
AFM images recorded on soot particles prepared
at different C/O ratios.
C/O 0.61, z 5 mm
C/O 0.77, z 5 mm
C/O 1.0, z 10 mm
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AFM image of Cuttlefish Sepia eumelanin particles
diameter 150 nm, fundamental structure 20 nm
Adapted from Simon et al J Phys Chem B 104, 7871,
2000
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Silica nanoparticles not new
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Part of silica production industry over a
century old - still no on-line nanometrology
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Of course it is where the nanoparticles go that
matters..but

• Health and environmental concern must help manage
  progress, not limit it
• Otherwise we may smother technology
• fail the sick
• Nevertheless more toxicology research is needed
  nanometrology helps underpin this

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Diabetes a paradigm

• 150 Million diabetics worldwide
• 5 x more than Aids
• 220 Million predicted by 2010
• 3 of the population of the Western world
• 2 Million in the UK, 500 more than in 1960
• 5 of UK health care costs
• A non-invasive glucose sensor still awaited
  despite spent to date
• Nanotechnology may hold the key
• Success will be a generic breakthrough in health
  care

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Possible ethical issues

• Military use
• All-pervasive surveillance
• Unexpected toxicity environmental side-effects
• Nanomanipulation of human biology
• Out of control self-replication
• Inequity of benefit around the world
• Multiple sets of international regulations
• The Scientists conflict of interest

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From the outset
Focused objectives
Multidisciplinary team
Clinicians Industry Funding (7m, EPSRC, SRIF,
SFC, Wolfson)
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A broader strategy Research PoolingsLaunched
in Scotland in 2005 with 40m SFC, OST
institutional support
www.supa.ac.uk
www.scotchem.ac.uk
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Research Pooling

• Achieves critical mass
• Coordinates research strategy across institutions
• Combined graduate school with live
  videoconferencing lectures prize studentships
• Maximises benefit from visitor programmes
• Promotes the discipline coherently and
  effectively
• Should accelerate progress in all areas inc. nano

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Futures

• Science technology - Facilitate further steps
  to bring the disciplines required
  together
• Funding - Expand existing platforms to
  gain critical mass
• Build on parallel protocols e.g. the
  chemical semiconductor sectors
  more research
• Ethics - Engage the public debate

Health and safety regulation -