31 August 2005
Issued by the institute of physics

Nanobelts to detect single cancer cells
At a major conference taking place in Leeds this week scientists will reveal how long ribbons of atoms are being used to detect cancer, ion-beam scalpels are being used to study how cells interact with bone graft materials, and how the body stores iron in tiny packages.

Organised by the institute of physics, 'EMAG-Nano 2005' is an international conference taking place during Einstein Year. Leading scientists from around the world will gather at the University of Leeds to discuss the latest developments in nanotechnology including imaging, analysis and fabrication at the nanoscale.

Research being presented will include:

Nanobelts to detect single cancer cells
Using tiny structures called “nanobelts” scientists are building new detectors so sensitive they can detect single cancer cells. Professor Zhong Lin Wang from Georgia Tech will present new research that uses nanobelts to create field-effect transistors and ultra-sensitive nano-size gas sensors with biomedical applications.

Nanobelts are long belt-like ribbons which can be fabricated from a variety of materials such as zinc oxide and with widths of only 30 to 300 nanometres and typical lengths of up to a few milimetres.

These nanostructures are perfect candidates to form part of the machinery of larger “nanomachines” when integrated with tiny electromechanical systems. They are also ideal objects for building sensors with biomedical applications, such as force sensors, blood flow sensors and cancer detectors. Professor Wang said: “We would like to use these materials for in-situ, real-time, non-destructive and remote monitoring and detection of cancer cells at a sensitivity of a single cell”.

The ion-beam scalpel
A new type of microscope which uses an ion beam as a scalpel to cut-up and slice biological matter is being developed to help with some of the newest advances in nanotechnology and tissue engineering, including studying how human cells interact with bone graft materials.

Dr Debbie Stokes from the University of Cambridge will present the latest research using the focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB SEM). This microscope is unusual because it has an electron beam and an ion beam, and this ion beam can be used to knock atoms out of a specimen. With a focused ion beam, scientists can slice into the specimen to create a cross-section, which can then be seen with the electron beam. It can also make a series of these slices, putting them together to make 3D object – a very powerful way of visualising microscopic structures.

Scientists crack mystery of iron storage
A team at the University of Leeds are beginning to unravel the mysteries surrounding the storage of Iron in the body. Sarah Pan will present preliminary results that characterise the structure of ferritin in human liver biopsies for the first time.

During the daily human iron cycle, excess iron is temporarily stored in ferritin molecules (as tiny iron oxide nanoparticles) within the liver before being cycled back into the body. The failure of the Iron cycle can lead to iron overload diseases such as haemochromatosis.

Until now, no one has been able to determine the exact structure of ferritin cores. Using electron microscopy at a safe electron dose, Pan and her colleagues have been able to elucidate ferritin’s core and will present preliminary results that will help improve our understanding of the mechanism of iron storage within the body.

Trapping proteins with nanoclusters
Professor Richard Palmer from the University of Birmingham will show how tiny clusters of atoms (nanoclusters) are helping scientists manipulate proteins in new ways. Professor Palmer and his group have deposited size-selected clusters of atoms (each one contains, say, 100 atoms) onto a surface (e.g. graphite) and have shown that a very small coverage of clusters can completely change the way that proteins stick (or don’t stick) to the surface.

Notes for editors
EMAG - NANO 05: Imaging, analysis and fabrication on the nanoscale
The University of Leeds, 31 August - 2 September 2005
Journalists are welcome to attend part or all of the conference

For further information and interviews contact:
David Reid, senior press officer, institute of physics, mobile: 07946 321473, email: david.reid@iop.org. Please use mobile to request interviews or further information during this conference.

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- scientific publishing and electronic dissemination of physics;
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