Nanotechnology at IIT
During the past fifteen years, nanotechnology has become the buzzword for the "science of the small" though in reality much of this science has existed for centuries. Every time you gaze at a stained glass window, you are witnessing the amazing properties that everyday materials such as gold can take on when they are reduced to the nanoscale.
In present times, we are surrounded by nanotechnology as it is applied in drug delivery systems, sunscreens, the fabrication of semiconductor devices, and as it shows progress as a possible cancer therapy tool. One of the remarkable aspects about how nanotechnology is being used today is our ability to image these types of structures in intimate detail.
Breast cancer cell decorated with silica-gold nanoshells of individual particles appear blue/green while aggregated ones are yellow and orange. (photo courtesy of Sandra Bishnoi)
Nanoshells and Cancer Research
Professor Sandra Bishnoi is a recent addition to the BCPS faculty with expertise in nanotechnology. Her research in the use of viruses to create nanostructures is aimed at creating biomedical applications using nanoparticles.
A primary focus in Dr. Bishnoiís lab is the improvement of the surface chemistry of nanoparticles to allow for more effective delivery of nanoparticles to tumor cells. Dr. Bishnoiís group is modifying the surface chemistry of these materials so that the materials will 'target" specific cellular markers present on cancer cells. This type of targeted delivery of nanoparticles could minimize potential side effects of nanoshell-based cancer therapy.
The Tool of Nanoscience: The Atomic Force Microscope
Professor and Associate Chair of Chemistry, Rong Wang is studying proteins, natural nano-materials, ranging from several nanometers to tens of nanometers in size. The research in Dr. Wang's group harnesses the advances in molecular characterization methods, such as probe scanning microscopy, surface engineering with new bio-conjugate chemistry, and molecular manipulation via photochemistry.
The research leads to the clarification of mechanisms of various biological events at the molecular level, which provides the molecular basis and novel strategies for early disease diagnosis, treatments and drug discovery.
Taking advantage of the recent advances in atomic force microscopy (AFM), Dr. Wang's research group achieves high-resolution topographic images of living organisms. Such an approach has opened exciting avenues for visualizing fine structures of proteins and cells in their native states, highly relevant to protein and cell functions.
Nanomaterials for Clean Energy
M. Ishaque Khan, Professor of Chemistry, Director of the Materials and Chemical Synthesis Program, and Associate Dean of the College of Science and Letters, is focusing on design, synthesis, and property studies of new generations of high-performance advanced materials.
Dr. Khan's research on nanomaterials includes applications for chemical sensing, energy storage, biomedical usage, and nanostructured catalysts. Advancement in the design and development of high-performance materials with desirable properties and functions holds the key to solving some of the major environmental and technological challenges, facing the industry and society.
Dr. Khan is developing advanced synthetic strategies and has succeeded in preparing some fascinating classes of functional nanostructured materials composed of well-defined metal oxide nanoclusters.
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