Blog @ NanoVic - Nanotechnology Blog

On Monday 7^th May, 2007, at the BIO2007 conference in Boston, we launched two new ventures from NanoVic: Interstitial NanoSystems and Quintain NanoSystems.  Not only was it a very exciting opportunity to launch these ventures at an international conference, but we were fortunate enough to have it announced at a press release by Premier Steve Bracks at BIO2007.  The focus was on our transdermal delivery patches for the delivery of insulin, and the development of a device based on nanoparticle diagnostics for early detection of meningococcal disease.  You can check out footage from the press conference on YouTube, entitled Awesome Australian Announcements, and Victoria Australia Revolutionizes Insulin Delivery.

The NSTI Nanotech 2007 conference finishes today.  I will be presenting on the St Helena nano program SHINE this afternoon, one of very few education papers.  The conference has addressed research developments in bionano and health, water, materials development (especially carbon nantoubes and soft nano), and the Cleantech 2007 event has provided an excellent overiew of research and innovation in solar, wind and clean fuel technologies. It seems like nanotechnology has a lot to offer in addressing some of the world’s critical problems and it has been useful to find out more details. 

Dr Anna Barker from the National Cancer Institute spoke yesterday on the ‘Promise of Nanotechnology in Cancer’ at the NSTI Nanotech 2007 Conference. She concentrated on the three main areas in which nanotechnology could play a part in addressing cancer - early detection, improving imaging techniques for diagnosis and better drug delivery.  While suggesting that the translation of research to the clinical environment was a challenge, she also said that some of these new techniques could make a difference in the prevention and treatement of the disease within as little as 3 years.

US Today (Life Section D) quotes Jessica Alba: “It’s dorky, but I like [reading sciencedaily.com].  Nanotechnology blows my mind.”  Jessica Alba as a poster child for the wonders of nanotechnology?  We could do worse!

I am currently at NSTI Nanotech 2007 in California, a nanotechnology conference and exhibition with over 3000 attendees and 1000 papers.   It is difficult to know what to attend, but the highlight for me yesterday was a panel session on the environmental and societal aspects of nanotechnology.  We have highlighted the AZoNano and NanoVic podcast on these issues to a few people as well.

The St Helena Innovative Nanotechnology Education (SHINE) program was launched by the Minister for Education, The Honourable John Lenders MLC at the St Helena Secondary College Science and Technology Centre on Friday 18th May.  The opening created a real buzz at the school with students on hand to explain demonstrations and examples of student work; to showcase recent art projects using images of nanogold and shape memory alloys; and even a jazz band to welcome visitors.  The launch included the official launch of the nanotechnology curricula, the opening of the NanoVic laboratory and the new SHINE website - www.shine.vic.edu.au where tecahers can access copies of the curriculum.  I have thoroughly enjoyed contributing to SHINE.  Congratulations to the school on their successful launch of this innovative program.

Congratulations to Francesca Calati, Dr Amanda Clarke and the nanotechnology teaching team at St Helena Secondary College for winning the Curriculum Innovation Award at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards.  The awards are designed to celebrate the work of Victoria’s teachers and to provide professional development opportunities. The award is worth $20,000 to cover costs associated with travel, accommodation, leave and any other support required to undertake, extend, consolidate or document the curriculum innovation.  St Helena intends to implement Teacher Professional Development opportunities related to their nanotechnology program - SHINE (St Helena Innovative Nanotechnology Education).  SHINE will be officially launched by the Minister for Education, John Lenders on Friday 18th May.