Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors







Heifer International

Wikipedia Affiliate Button


Home > Press > Nanomaterials get to the heart of the matter

From left, Sarah Baxter, Cathy Murphy, and Edie Goldsmith
From left, Sarah Baxter, Cathy Murphy, and Edie Goldsmith

Abstract:
Having a heart of gold could have new meaning if research led by a team of USC scientists hits paydirt.

Nanomaterials get to the heart of the matter

Columbia, SC | Posted on January 23rd, 2010

The scientists are investigating how injections of nano-sized rods of gold might improve the function of faulty heart valves while eliminating the need for corrective surgery.

"Cardiac valves can become too stiff or too floppy and the heart has to work harder," said Edie Goldsmith, an associate professor in the School of Medicine's Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. "Valve replacement surgery is an option, but we want to see if we can alter the physical structure and behavior of faulty valves with nanomaterials only."

Goldsmith and mechanical engineering associate professor Sarah Baxter are collaborating with former University chemistry professor Cathy Murphy and Clemson University bioengineering professor Delphine Dean, supported by a two-year exploratory grant from the National Institutes of Health's Heart, Lung and BloodInstitute.

"We've learned that gold nanomaterials like to associate with collagen, a structural protein," Goldsmith said. "There is too much collagen in stiff valves and not enough in floppy valves. We think that the nanomaterials can alter the mechanical properties of the collagen in beneficial ways."

The scientists have found they can modify the nano-sized gold particles with polymers creating a positive or negative surface charge that affect collagen assembly. When exposed to the nanomaterials, collagen production by fibroblasts is altered as is the phenotype of the cells.

"We want to measure the mechanical properties of collagen-fibroblast-nanoparticle constructs to see how the nanomaterials might create positive changes in the cardiac valves," Goldsmith said.

The implications of their research go beyond cardiac valve repair: the researchers plan to test the use of nanomaterials in wound healing and cancer.

"We also want to see if the nanomaterials could be used to manipulate the matrix around a tumor," she said. "You could then isolate the tumor and keep the cancer cells from spreading."

####

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Office of Media Relations
803-777-5400

Copyright © University of South Carolina

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related News Press

News and information

JPK reports on single molecule research at IISER Pune in India using AFM and CellHesion techniques May 21st, 2013

Imec and GLOBALFOUNDRIES collaborate to advance high-density memory technology: STT-MRAM offers enhanced performance and scalability for embedded and standalone applications May 21st, 2013

International survey supports need for built-in water protection on smartphones and tablets May 21st, 2013

Rice unveils method for tailoring optical processors: Arranging nanoparticles in geometric patterns allows for control of light with light May 21st, 2013

Possible Futures

Lifeboat publishes its first book: The Lifeboat Foundation has published its first book, "The Human Race to the Future: What Could Happen -- and What to Do" May 14th, 2013

UC Santa Barbara History Professor's Book Elucidates, Celebrates ‘Visioneers' May 14th, 2013

Conceptual Nanomedical Lipofuscin Removal Strategy April 29th, 2013

The Global Desalination Market 2013-2023 April 24th, 2013

Nanomedicine

Nanoparticle Harnesses Powerful Radiation Therapy for Cancer May 20th, 2013

Microneedle-Delivered Nanoparticles Boost Antitumor Vaccines May 20th, 2013

New Nanopore Sensor Simplifies Analysis of Methylated DNA May 20th, 2013

Elsevier Business Intelligence (EBI) to Host 'IN3 Medical Device 360 Boston,' June 24-26, 2013 May 20th, 2013

Announcements

JPK reports on single molecule research at IISER Pune in India using AFM and CellHesion techniques May 21st, 2013

Imec and GLOBALFOUNDRIES collaborate to advance high-density memory technology: STT-MRAM offers enhanced performance and scalability for embedded and standalone applications May 21st, 2013

International survey supports need for built-in water protection on smartphones and tablets May 21st, 2013

Rice unveils method for tailoring optical processors: Arranging nanoparticles in geometric patterns allows for control of light with light May 21st, 2013

Grants/Awards/Scholarships/Gifts/Contests/Honors/Records

Beautiful "flowers" self-assemble in a beaker: Elaborate nanostructures blossom from a chemical reaction perfected at Harvard May 17th, 2013

Add boron for better batteries: Rice University theorists say graphene-boron mix shows promise for lithium-ion batteries May 17th, 2013

Nanotechnology Pioneer Named 'Entrepreneur of the Year': Royal Society of Chemistry honors Chad Mirkin for commercializing innovations May 10th, 2013

International Space Development Conference Highlights - Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Former President of India - Winner of the 2013 Wernher von Braun Memorial Award May 8th, 2013

Nanobiotechnology

Researchers Perform Fastest Measurements Ever Made of Ion Channel Proteins May 20th, 2013

Artificial Forest for Solar Water-Splitting: Berkeley Lab Researchers Report First Fully Integrated Artificial Photosynthesis Nanosystem May 17th, 2013

Glowing Plant Kickstarter Project Retains Digital Marketing Agency, Command Partners: Glowing Plant brings on top Charlotte-based digital marketing firm to assist in crowdfunding campaign May 16th, 2013

DNA-Guided Assembly Yields Novel Ribbon-Like Nanostructures: Approach could be useful in fabricating new kinds of materials with engineered properties May 16th, 2013

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE





  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoTech-Transfer
University Technology Transfer & Patents
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More












ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project








abbigliamento uomo
Computer Accessories
© Copyright 1999-2013 7th Wave, Inc. All Rights Reserved PRIVACY POLICY :: CONTACT US :: STATS :: SITE MAP :: ADVERTISE