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Nano Reviews

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This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Online) 2000-5121
Published by Co-Action Publishing

[28 journals]

Utilizing the folate receptor for active targeting of cancer nanotherapeutics
- Authors: Grant L. Zwicke, G. Ali Mansoori, Constance J. Jeffery
  Abstract: The development of specialized nanoparticles for use in the detection and treatment of cancer is increasing. Methods are being proposed and tested that could target treatments more directly to cancer cells, which could lead to higher efficacy and reduced toxicity, possibly even eliminating the adverse effects of damage to the immune system and the loss of quick replicating cells. In this mini-review we focus on recent studies that employ folate nanoconjugates to target the folate receptor. Folate receptors are highly overexpressed on the surface of many tumor types. This expression can be exploited to target imaging molecules and therapeutic compounds directly to cancerous tissues.Keywords: cancer; conjugates; doxorubicin; folate; folic acid; folate receptor; gold; nanoaggregates; 99mTc-EC20; nanotechnology(Published: 7 December 2012)Citation: Nano Reviews 2012, 3: 18496 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/nano.v3i0.18496
  PubDate: 2012-12-07
  Issue No: Vol. 3 (2012)
Nanostructured Nb₂O₅ catalysts
- Authors: Edman Tsang, Xiwen Zhou, Lin Ye, Shik Chi Edman Tsang
  Abstract: Niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) has long been known to catalyze unique acid induced reactions, redox reductions and photo-catalytic reactions, etc. Recently, there have been significant advancements in tailoring the oxide materials with controlled structures and morphologies using nano-chemical synthesis by the help of surfactant or stabilizer for optimal catalytic performance. In this short review, we will particularly highlight these synthetic methods for preparation of Nb2O5 nanostructures, their potential applications in catalysis and their structure-activity relationships.Keywords: niobium oxide; nanostructures; semi-conductor; crystal; facet; synthesis; catalysis(Published: 7 August 2012)Citation: Nano Reviews 2012, 3: 17631 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/nano.v3i0.17631
  PubDate: 2012-08-07
  Issue No: Vol. 3 (2012)
Detection of biomarkers using recombinant antibodies coupled to nanostructured platforms
- Authors: Michael R. Kierny, Thomas D. Cunningham, Brian K. Kay
  Abstract: The utility of biomarker detection in tomorrow’s personalized health care field will mean early and accurate diagnosis of many types of human physiological conditions and diseases. In the search for biomarkers, recombinant affinity reagents can be generated to candidate proteins or post-translational modifications that differ qualitatively or quantitatively between normal and diseased tissues. The use of display technologies, such as phagedisplay, allows for manageable selection and optimization of affinity reagents for use in biomarker detection. Here we review the use of recombinant antibody fragments, such as scFvs and Fabs, which can be affinity-selected from phagedisplay libraries, to bind with both high specificity and affinity to biomarkers of cancer, such as Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2) and Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). We discuss how these recombinant antibodies can be fabricated into nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes, nanowires, and quantum dots, for the purpose of enhancing detection of biomarkers at low concentrations (pg/mL) within complex mixtures such as serum or tissue extracts. Other sensing technologies, which take advantage of ‘Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering’ (gold nanoshells), frequency changes in piezoelectric crystals (quartz crystal microbalance), or electrical current generation and sensing during electrochemical reactions (electrochemical detection), can effectively provide multiplexed platforms for detection of cancer and injury biomarkers. Such devices may soon replace the traditional time consuming ELISAs and Western blots, and deliver rapid, point-of-care diagnostics to market.Keywords: phage-display; scFv; Fab; therapeutic antibody; affinity maturation; mutagenesis; nanotechnology; carbon nanotube; nanoshell; electrochemical detection(Published: 23 July 2012)Citation: Nano Reviews 2012, 3: 17240 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/nano.v3i0.17240
  PubDate: 2012-07-23
  Issue No: Vol. 3 (2012)
Contact printing of colloidal nanocrystal thin films for hybrid organic/quantum dot optoelectronic devices
- Authors: Matthew Panzer, Katherine E. Aidala, Vladimir Bulović
  Abstract: Novel thin film optoelectronic devices containing both inorganic colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and organic semiconductor thin films have been widely investigated in recent years for a variety of applications. Here, we review one of the most versatile and successful methods developed to integrate these two dissimilar material classes into a functional multilayered device: contact printing of colloidal QD films. Experimental details regarding the contact printing process are outlined, and the key advantages of this QD deposition method over other commonly encountered techniques are discussed. The use of tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) to effectively characterize QD film morphology both on an elastomeric stamp (before contact printing) and as-transferred to the organic semiconductor receiving film (after contact printing) is also described. Finally, we offer suggestions for future efforts directed toward the goal of rapid, continuous QD deposition over larger substrates for the advancement of hybrid optoelectronic thin film devices.Keywords: QD; monolayer; stamp; deposition; LED; organic semiconductor(Published: 9 April 2012)Citation: Nano Reviews 2012, 3: 16144 -
  DOI : 10.3402/nano.v3i0.16144
  PubDate: 2012-04-09
  Issue No: Vol. 3 (2012)
Nanoscale thermal probing
- Authors: Yanan Yue, Xinwei Wang
  Abstract: Nanoscale novel devices have raised the demand for nanoscale thermal characterization that is critical for evaluating the device performance and durability. Achieving nanoscale spatial resolution and high accuracy in temperature measurement is very challenging due to the limitation of measurement pathways. In this review, we discuss four methodologies currently developed in nanoscale surface imaging and temperature measurement. To overcome the restriction of the conventional methods, the scanning thermal microscopy technique is widely used. From the perspective of measuring target, the optical feature size method can be applied by using either Raman or fluorescence thermometry. The near-field optical method that measures nanoscale temperature by focusing the optical field to a nano-sized region provides a non-contact and nondestructive way for nanoscale thermal probing. Although the resistance thermometry based on nano-sized thermal sensors is possible for nanoscale thermal probing, significant effort is still needed to reduce the size of the current sensors by using advanced fabrication techniques. At the same time, the development of nanoscale imaging techniques, such as fluorescence imaging, provides a great potential solution to resolve the nanoscale thermal probing problem.Keywords: nanoscale; scanning thermal microscopy; feature size; near-field; Raman spectroscopy; near-field; resistance thermometry(Published: 12 March 2012)Citation: Nano Reviews 2012, 3: 11586 -
  DOI : 10.3402/nano.v3i0.11586
  PubDate: 2012-03-12
  Issue No: Vol. 3 (2012)
Danish Team wins First BIOMOD International Undergraduate Nanobiology Design Competition
- Authors: Constance J. Jeffery
  Abstract: The first annual International Bio-Molecular Design Competition (BIOMOD2011) was held on November 5, 2011, at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University (Cambridge, MA, USA). BioMod is a design competition for undergraduate students that was founded by Wyss Institute Technology Development Fellow Shawn Douglas. Teams of students engineer novel nanoscale structures or machines that self-assemble from biological macromolecules and have useful biological and therapeutic applications. Twenty-one undergraduate teams including more than 100 students from America, Europe, and Asia participated. The teams designed, built, and analyzed their systems during the summer and then prepared a short talk, a YouTube video, and a Wiki page documenting the project.(Published: 8 February 2012)Citation: Nano Reviews 2012, 3: 17201 -
  DOI : 10.3402/nano.v3i0.17201
  PubDate: 2012-02-08
  Issue No: Vol. 3 (2012)
Workshop attendees suggest methods to improve the number and advancement of women scientists in NanoScience/NanoTechnology
- Authors: Constance Jeffery
  Abstract: Women are underrepresented in the new field of nanoscience and nanotechnology (NS/NT). They comprise only 14% of the faculty members at the 62 federally funded centers for NS/NT at higher education institutions in the USA, but make up 25% of the faculty in other STEM disciplines. Increasing the participation of women and minorities in NS/NT research is important for the relatively new field of NS/NT to reach its full potential. A workshop was held to gather information about the challenges and opportunities academic work in NS/NT offers to women and minorities and to identify differences between NS/ NTand other STEM disciplines. The workshop, titled ‘Toward Increasing Diversity in STEM Faculty: AWorkshop Addressing Underrepresentation of Women of all Ethnicities in Nanoscience Fields,’ was cohosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF, USA). The two-day workshop included forty researchers in NS/NT and in the social sciences. In this news item, I will summarize some of the key findings and suggestions that are described in a published monograph about the workshop written by Vivien Savath and Suzanne Brainard at the University of Washington.(Published: 6 February 2012)Citation: Nano News 2012, 3: 15895 -
  DOI : 10.3402/nano.v3i0.15895
  PubDate: 2012-02-06
  Issue No: Vol. 3 (2012)
Protein-protected luminescent noble metal quantum clusters: an emerging trend in atomic cluster nanoscience
- Authors: Paulrajpillai Lourdu Xavier, Kamalesh Chaudhari, Ananya Baksi, Thalappil Pradeep
  Abstract: Noble metal quantum clusters (NMQCs) are the missing link between isolated noble metal atoms and nanoparticles. NMQCs are sub-nanometer core sized clusters composed of a group of atoms, most often luminescent in the visible region, and possess intriguing photo-physical and chemical properties. A trend is observed in the use of ligands, ranging from phosphines to functional proteins, for the synthesis of NMQCs in the liquid phase. In this review, we briefly overview recent advancements in the synthesis of protein protected NMQCs with special emphasis on their structural and photo-physical properties. In view of the protein protection, coupled with direct synthesis and easy functionalization, this hybrid QC-protein system is expected to have numerous optical and bioimaging applications in the future, pointers in this direction are visible in the literature.Keywords: protein; peptide; noble metals; nano; quantum cluster; fluorescence(Published: 3 February 2012)Citation: Nano Reviews 2012, 3: 14767 -
  DOI : 10.3402/nano.v3i0.14767
  PubDate: 2012-02-03
  Issue No: Vol. 3 (2012)