Nanotechnology in the environmental health sciences.Among the newest buzzwords in biomedical science is nanotechnology: small is big! The vision for nanotechnology has existed for many years--remember Isaac Asimov's Fantastic Voyage--but the ability to manipulate individual atoms to engineer devices at the nanoscale is new. A number of benefits arise at the nanoscale, from the practical (reagent utilization and the ability to multiplex) to the emergence of new properties (optical and electrical). The intent here is to briefly outline some ways nanotechnology will impact the environmental health sciences. Sensor Technologies The benefits of nanotechnology make it ideal for sensor development, for environmental and biological monitoring as well as for linking exposure, disease, and susceptibility. Investigators are developing arrays for toxicants based on technologies such as ion channels or fluorescence-emitting nanoprobes. Similarly, nanomaterials are being used to investigate the mechanisms of disease etiology in vitro and in vivo. Remediation Technologies Nanomaterials offer two distinct advantages to remediation technologies: large surface-area-to-volume ratio and high chemical reactivity. This pays dividends for both catalysis catalysis Modification (usually acceleration) of a chemical reaction rate by addition of a catalyst, which combines with the reactants but is ultimately regenerated so that its amount remains unchanged and the chemical equilibrium of the conditions of the reaction is not (for example, with halogenated halogenated pertaining to a substance to which a halogen is added. halogenated salicylanilides see rafoxanide, clioxanide. organics) and sequestration sequestration In law, a writ authorizing a law-enforcement official to take into custody the property of a defendant in order to enforce a judgment or to preserve the property until a judgment is rendered. (for example, with radionuclides). One key issue needing to be resolved is how nanomaterials behave in the environment as they are used for site remediation. Nanoparticle Toxicity There are indications that exposure to certain nanomaterials may lead to adverse biological effects that appear to depend on the material's chemical and physical properties. Nanoparticles will interact with biological systems; issues such as particle absorption and the contributions of surface geometry, chemistry, cellular uptake, and localization Customizing software and documentation for a particular country. It includes the translation of menus and messages into the native spoken language as well as changes in the user interface to accommodate different alphabets and culture. See internationalization and l10n. need to be examined to inform toxicity assessments for nanomaterials. Long-Range Vision Our ultimate "blue sky" goal is similar to the vision Asimov presented 40 years ago--to develop brilliant biocompatible biocompatible /bio·com·pat·i·ble/ (-kom-pat´i-b'l) being harmonious with life; not having toxic or injurious effects on biological function. nanoparticles to be used in vivo to detect exposure to a potential toxicant toxicant /tox·i·cant/ (tok´si-kant) 1. poisonous. 2. poison. tox·i·cant n. 1. A poison or poisonous agent. 2. An intoxicant. adj. , to identify biological responses to that exposure and categorize them as compensatory or pathological, and to intervene to halt or reverse the development of disease. Contact David Balshaw, PhD | balshaw@niehs.nih.gov Sally Tinkle tin·kle v. tin·kled, tin·kling, tin·kles v.intr. 1. To make light metallic sounds, as those of a small bell. 2. Informal To urinate. v.tr. 1. , PhD | stinkle@niehs.nih.gov |
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