US – Page 271 – TechConnect Briefs

Synthesis of Dextran-Coated Nanoceria with pH-dependent Antioxidant Properties

Perez J.M., Asati A., Nath S., Kaittanis C., University of Central Florida, US

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) are potent free radical scavengers with neuroprotective, radioprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, most synthetic procedures for nanoceria results in nanoparticles with poor water solubility or synthesized by procedures involving toxic solvents, [...]

Enhancement of in vitro Capillary Tube Formation by Substrate Nanotopography

Bettinger C.J., Zhang Z., Gerecht S., Borenstein J.T., Langer R., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US

Controlling the morphology and function of cells using substrate nanotopography is a phenomenon that can be utilized in a variety of fields including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this work, we explored the possibility [...]

Investigating Helical Rosette Nanotubes and Nanocrystalline Hydroxyapatite as Novel Bone-like Biomaterials for Orthopedic Applications

Zhang L.J., Rodriguez J., Fenniri H., Webster T.J., Brown University, US

The objective of this study was to create a novel biomimetic hydrogel composite based on helical rosette nanotubes (HRNs) and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA). HRNs are newly-developed self-assembled nanomaterials with DNA base pair building blocks. HRNs [...]

Biomolecular activity switch: an application of metallic nanoparticle plasmon resonance

Alper J., Wijaya A., Crespo M., DeFlores L., Tokmakoff A., Hamad-Schifferli K., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US

Specific external control of biomolecular activity is a critical step in harnessing the power of nature’s molecular machinery. We propose and demonstrate one control method, a biomolecular activity switch. Since proteins are the primary macromolecule [...]

2-Nitroimidazole as Potential Nanoprobe in Hypoxia Imaging by MRI/PET

Sharma A., Sharma R., Sharma A., Sharma R., University of North Carolina, US

2-Nitroimidazole is radiosensitizer and serves as imaging contrast agent by 19F- and 31P MR methods. Despite the success of mesonidazole and SR-4554 compounds, very little is known of its hepato-cytotoxicity if it can be potential [...]

Effect of Medical Device Substrate Material on Nanoparticulate Silver Efficacy

Dair B.J., Kennedy K.M., Casas R.S., FDA, US

Silver is one of the oldest known natural antimicrobial materials, the active form being the Ag+ ion, which disrupts critical cell functions in bacteria. Reducing the size of silver particles to the nano-scale regime increases [...]

Regulation of Nanotechnology in the Environment

Lehrenbaum W.U., Zarghamee R., Leopold Jr. C., Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, US

In this paper we examine the current state and likely future path of nanotechnology regulation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA” or “the Agency”). We also explore a number of initiatives that have arisen [...]

From Biotechnology to Nanotechnology: Parallels in State Regulatory Review

Bosso C.J., McCarty K., Northeastern University, US

This case study of the process by which Massachusetts reviewed and revised environmental regulations pertaining to the biotechnology industry provides useful insights into the potential regulatory issues facing the nanotechnology sector and lessons about how [...]

Nanosize Iron Oxide for CO Oxidation

Wu Z., Fransson M., Zhou B., Headwaters Technology Innovations LLC, US

Transition metal oxides are desirable alternatives to precious metals based catalysts for CO oxidation since they are less costly. Several nanosize iron oxides were prepared by using Headwaters Technology Innovation (HTI) NxCat® colloidal chemistry nanotechnology. [...]

A Non-Contact Culture Model for Investigating Cell Signaling and Nanotoxicity

Gao W.J., Dukhande V.V., Jandhyam S., Wang Y.-H., Gu H.-Y., Lai J.C.K., Lai M.B., Lai J.C.K., Lai M.B., Leung S.W., Idaho State University, US

There is general agreement that in vitro cell model systems offer many advantages over in vivo model systems in elucidation of cell signaling and other mechanisms underlying a toxicant’s effect. While the 3-D cell models [...]