 |
|
Carbon nanotubes that detect disease-causing mutations developed by Pitt researcher
January 26, 2006Transistor channels can detect single DNA base mutations
University of Pittsburgh researcher Alexander Star and colleagues at California-based company Nanomix, Inc., have developed devices made of carbon nanotubes that can find mutations in genes causing hereditary diseases, they report in the Jan. 16 issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. This method is less expensive and takes less time than conventional techniques.
Carbon nanotubes are rolled-up sheets of graphite only a few nanometers wide-about the width of a molecule of DNA. The researchers used these nanotubes' electrical properties to find a particular mutation in the gene that causes hereditary hemochromatosis, a disease in which too much iron accumulates in body tissues.
"The size compatibility between the detector and the detected species-DNA molecules in this case-makes this approach very attractive for further development of label-free electronic methods," said Star, who is an assistant professor of chemistry at Pitt.
Star and his colleagues at Nanomix also tested fluorescently labeled DNA molecules in order to confirm that DNA had attached to the nanotube surfaces and was subsequently hybridized, or matched to its complementary DNA.
"We have found that electrical measurement of carbon nanotube devices produce sensor results that are comparable to state-of-the-art optical techniques," Star said.
He added, "The applications of our method for detection of other, more serious genetic diseases can be seen."
Label-free electronic detection of DNA has several advantages over state-of-the-art optical techniques, including cost, time, and simplicity.
"Our technology can bring to market hand-held, field-ready devices for genetic screening, as opposed to laboratory methods using labor-intense labeling and sophisticated optical equipment," Star said.
This research was partially supported by the National Science Foundation's Small Business Innovation Research program.
University of Pittsburgh
"The size compatibility between the detector and the detected species-DNA molecules in this case-makes this approach very attractive for further development of label-free electronic methods," said Star, who is an assistant professor of chemistry at Pitt.
Star and his colleagues at Nanomix also tested fluorescently labeled DNA molecules in order to confirm that DNA had attached to the nanotube surfaces and was subsequently hybridized, or matched to its complementary DNA.
"We have found that electrical measurement of carbon nanotube devices produce sensor results that are comparable to state-of-the-art optical techniques," Star said.
He added, "The applications of our method for detection of other, more serious genetic diseases can be seen."
Label-free electronic detection of DNA has several advantages over state-of-the-art optical techniques, including cost, time, and simplicity.
"Our technology can bring to market hand-held, field-ready devices for genetic screening, as opposed to laboratory methods using labor-intense labeling and sophisticated optical equipment," Star said.
This research was partially supported by the National Science Foundation's Small Business Innovation Research program.
University of Pittsburgh
Carbon Nanotubes Current Events and Carbon Nanotubes News RSSSimulations help explain fast water transport in nanotubes
By discovering the physical mechanism behind the rapid transport of water in carbon nanotubes, scientists at the University of Illinois have moved a step closer to ultra-efficient, next-generation nanofluidic devices for drug delivery, water purification and nano-manufacturing.
Coating improves electrical stimulation therapy used for Parkinson's, depression, chronic pain
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have designed a way to improve electrical stimulation of nerves by outfitting electrodes with the latest in chemically engineered fashion: a coating of basic black, formed from carbon nanotubes.
True properties of carbon nanotubes measured
For more than 15 years, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been the flagship material of nanotechnology. Researchers have conceived applications for nanotubes ranging from microelectronic devices to cancer therapy. Their atomic structure should, in theory, give them mechanical and electrical properties far superior to most common materials.
Slipping through cell walls, nanotubes deliver high-potency punch to cancer tumors in mice
The problem with using a shotgun to kill a housefly is that even if you get the pest, you'll likely do a lot of damage to your home in the process. Hence the value of the more surgical flyswatter.
Golden Scales: Nanoscale Mass Sensor from Berkeley Can Be Used to Weigh Individual Atoms and Molecules
There's a new "gold standard" in the sensitivity of weighing scales. Using the same technology with which they created the world's first fully functional nanotube radio, researchers with Berkeley Lab and the University of California (UC) at Berkeley have fashioned a nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) that can function as a scale sensitive enough to measure the mass of a single atom of gold.
'Nanonet' circuits closer to making flexible electronics reality
Researchers have overcome a major obstacle in producing transistors from networks of carbon nanotubes, a technology that could make it possible to print circuits on plastic sheets for applications including flexible displays and an electronic skin to cover an entire aircraft to monitor crack formation.
LLNL researchers peer into water in carbon nanotubes
Researchers have identified a signature for water inside single-walled carbon nanotubes, helping them understand how water is structured and how it moves within these tiny channels.
The fight for the best quantum bit (qubit)
Our results give us, for the first time, the possibility to understand the interaction between just two electrons placed next to each other in a carbon nanotube.
Perfecting a solar cell by adding imperfections
Nanotechnology is paving the way toward improved solar cells. New research shows that a film of carbon nanotubes may be able to replace two of the layers normally used in a solar cell, with improved performance at a lower cost. Researchers have found a surprising way to give the nanotubes the properties they need: add defects.
Secret ingredient: nanoparticles aid bone growth
In the first study of its kind, bioengineers and bioscientists at Rice University and Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands, have shown they can grow denser bone tissue by sprinkling stick-like nanoparticles throughout the porous material used to pattern the bone.
More Carbon Nanotubes Current Events and Carbon Nanotubes News Articles
 | Physical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes by R. Saito, G. Dresselhaus, M. S. Dresselhaus This is an introductory textbook for graduate students and researchers from various fields of science who wish to learn about carbon nanotubes. The field is still at an early stage, and progress continues at a rapid rate. This book focuses on the basic principles behind the physical properties and gives the background necessary to understand the recent developments. Some useful computational... |
 | Carbon Nanotubes: Advanced Topics in the Synthesis, Structure, Properties and Applications (Topics in Applied Physics) (Topics in Applied Physics) The carbon nanotubes field has evolved substantially since the publication of the bestseller Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis, Structure, Properties and Applications . The present volume builds on the generic aspects of the aforementioned book, which emphasizes the fundamentals, with the new volume emphasizing areas that have grown rapidly since the first volume, guiding future directions where... |
 | Carbon Nanotubes: Properties and Applications Since their discovery more than a decade ago, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have held scientists and engineers in captive fascination, seated on the verge of enormous breakthroughs in areas such as medicine, electronics, and materials science, to name but a few. Taking a broad look at CNTs and the tools used to study them, Carbon Nanotubes: Properties and Applications comprises the efforts of leading... |
 | Carbon Nanotubes and Related Structures by Peter J. F. Harris Carbon nanotubes are molecular-scale carbon fibers with structures related to those of the fullerenes. Since their discovery in 1991, they have captured the imagination of physicists, chemists and materials scientists alike. This book covers all the most important areas of nanotube research, as well as discussing related structures such as carbon nanoparticles and "inorganic fullerenes." It is... |
 | Carbon Nanotube Devices: Properties, Modeling, Integration and Applications (Advanced Micro and Nanosystems) Following on from the first AMN volume, this handy reference and textbook examines the topic of nanosystem design in further detail. It explains the physical and chemical basics behind the design and fabrication of nanodevices, covering all important, recent advances in the field, while introducing nanosystems to less experienced readers. The result is an important source for a fast,... |
 | Carbon Nanotubes: Basic Concepts and Physical Properties by Stephanie Reich, Christian Thomsen, Janina Maultzsch Carbon nanotubes are exceptionally interesting from a fundamental research point of view. Many concepts of one-dimensional physics have been verified experimentally such as electron and phonon confinement or the one-dimensional singularities in the density of states; other 1D signatures are still under debate, such as Luttinger-liquid behavior. Carbon nanotubes are chemically stable, mechanically... |
 | Applied Physics of Carbon Nanotubes: Fundamentals of Theory, Optics and Transport Devices (NanoScience and Technology) The book describes the state of the art in fundamental, applied and device physics of nanotubes, including fabrication, manipulation and characterization for device applications; optics of nanotubes; transport and electromechanical devices and fundamentals of theory for applications. This information is critical to the field of nanoscience since nanotubes have the potential to become a very... |
| Chemistry of Carbon Nanotubes, 3-Volume Set DESCRIPTION: Contrary to all the books published on carbon nanotubes as of today, this interdisciplinary book focuses specifically on the chemistry of carbon nanotubes and related aspects. It brings together inorganic, organic, macromolecular, biological, analytical and theoretical chemists, materials scientists, spectroscopists and microscopists to share information on the methods of synthesis,... | |
 | Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis, Structure, Properties and Applications by et al R.E. Smalley (Foreword) This book gives a comprehensive review of the present status of research in this fast moving field by researchers actively contributing to the advances. After a short introduction and a brief review of the relation between carbon nanotubes, graphite and other forms of carbon, the synthesis techniques and growth mechanisms for carbon nanotubes are described. This is followed by reviews on nanotube... |
 | Carbon Nanotubes: Science and Applications Carbon nanotubes, with their extraordinary mechanical and unique electronic properties, have garnered much attention in the past five years. With a broad range of potential applications including nanoelectronics, composites, chemical sensors, biosensors, microscopy, nanoelectromechanical systems, and many more, the scientific community is more motivated than ever to move beyond basic properties... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |