Nano Basics and History
Nanotechnology refers to technology with dimensions of less than a nanometer.
100 nanometers
Cylindrical carbon structures are called this.
Nanotubes (carbon nanotubes, CNTs)
This nanostructure is used in drug delivery.
Dendrimers
These basic cells can develop into any type of cell in the body.
Stem cells
Stem cells are being investigated for this cancer of the bone marrow.
Leukemia
He gave the lecture “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”, but he is NOT the one who first used the word “nanotechnology”. Who is the scientist who did?
Norio Taniguchi
In this approach, the material “creates itself” through self-assembly or self-organization.
Bottom-up approach
The MIT bandage of Karp and Langer works like the feet of this animal.
Gecko
Name the three types of stem cells.
Adult, embryonic, induced pluripotent
Name any two diseases that can be treated by stem cell therapy.
Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, osteoarthritis, stroke, spinal cord injury, heart disease, cancer, baldness, hearing problem, Crohn’s disease, wounds, male infertility (any two)
A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nm thick. How many times thinner is a 100-nm nanoparticle than the paper?
1,000 times thinner
Name the four types of nanomaterials.
Carbon-based materials, metal-based materials, dendrimers, nanocomposites
Light plus titanium dioxide makes up this process. Name two of its applications.
Photocatalysis. Applications: water treatment, air cleaning, anti-microbial, anti-fogging, self-cleaning
Regular skin, fat, liver, or nerve cells modified to behave like embryonic stem cells are called this.
Induced pluripotent cells
This Philippine DOH order prohibits and restricts activities involving embryonic, aborted fetal, and genetically altered animal and plant stem cells.
Administrative Order No. 2013-0012
Nanoscience studies materials at the atomic, molecular, and macromolecular scales. What do nanotechnology and the US Foresight Institute add to this?
Nanotechnology controls the structure of matter at the nanometer scale to produce novel materials and devices with useful and unique properties.
A water treatment company wants a nanomaterial with anti-microbial properties for purification. Which type and example fit best?
Metal-based material, such as metal oxide (titanium dioxide)
Explain how photocatalysis of titanium dioxide helps disinfect fresh vegetables, and why this is an advantage.
UV exposure damages the bacterial cell wall and cytoplasmic membranes (example: Salmonella, E. coli, Bacillus cereus in carrots). It disinfects with less risk of side effects from dangerous chemicals.
Compare adult and embryonic stem cells in terms of source and potential.
Adult: found in organs, replace worn-out cells, limited cell types. Embryonic: from leftover embryos donated at fertility clinics, can become all cell types.
Why has bone marrow transplant been used for years without controversy, unlike somatic cell nuclear transfer?
Bone marrow transplant uses the patient’s own stem cells, with no embryo involved. SCNT creates a human embryo.
A student says a speck of dust that is 50 nm wide is nanotechnology just because it is small. Is the student correct? Why or why not?
Not correct. Small size alone is not enough. Nanotechnology requires controlling matter’s structure to create materials or devices with useful and unique properties.
A manufacturer wants (a) stronger brake pads and bearing seals for military vehicles and (b) a more flame-retardant plastic. Recommend a nanomaterial type for each and justify.
(a) Carbon-based materials (fullerenes/nanotubes), which are applied to bearing seals and brake pads. (b) Nanocomposites, which enhance mechanical, thermal, and flame-retardant properties.
A relative with breast cancer is worried about chemotherapy side effects. How could gold nanoshells be a better option, and what do they deliver?
Gold nanoshells deliver toxic doses of two drugs, lapatinib and docetaxel, inside breast cancer cells. This could result in fewer side effects.
The 2004 South Korean cloning of 30 human embryos was followed in 2005 by patient-tailored stem cells. How do these steps support personalized medicine?
Cloned embryos supplied stem cells that were then tailored to match individual patients. This is the basis for growing organs in the lab to replace damaged ones.
SCNT produces stem cells that genetically match the donor’s DNA. Evaluate this method by weighing its medical promise against its ethical concerns.
Promise: patient-matched cells to replace damaged cells and organs. Concern: the method creates a human embryo, which critics consider a violation of the sanctity of life.