BY: DR ALAN TOMLINSON (INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN SPORTRON; HPA CHAIRMAN)
The concept of nanotechnology was first articulated by the Physicist Richard Feynman in 1959 when he described a vision of mechanical systems directing chemical reactions and building atomically precise products. Feynman envisaged the control of individual atoms. He believed that machines would make smaller machines which would make smaller machines down to the ultimate in miniaturization.
In 1981, the concept of nanotechnology had progressed to the stage where concepts were imagined which involved the construction of systems of molecular machines. This was known as molecular nanotechnology (MNT). The pursuit of MNT involves a wide variety of disciplines including chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, molecular biology and computer science. The term used in MNT for mechanical systems is known as molecular assemblers. The idea here is to use such substances as enzymes and ribosomes as tools for the development of precise chemistry.
Nanotechnology refers to the control of an atomic or molecular scale between one and 100 nanometres (nm) - this is one millionth of a millimetre. Prof Niels Nielsen from the University of Aarhus recently won an award for his work on nanotechnology. His comments included this perspective, "Nanotechnology has to mature to a certain level to be part of daily life" Despite this caution, it is estimated that the market for Nanotechnology could be worth as much as $20b by 2020.
There are a number of definitions for nanotechnology or molecular nanotechnology. Two are:
1. "The thorough, inexpensive control of the structure of matter based on molecule-by-molecule control of products and by-products of molecular manufacturing".
2."The manipulation, precision placement, measurement, modelling or manufacture of sub-100 nanometer scale matter".
In these two definitions it is important to note that the elements of nanotechnology which are extremely important are precision, accuracy, and control.
To get some understanding of the sizes we are talking about we can relate the size of presently manufactured microcircuits which have parts measured in micrometers (that is in millionths of a meter) but molecules are measured in nanometers (which are 1000 times smaller). The engineers of the new technology will build both nanocircuits and nanomachines.
If an atom were the size of a small marble, a fairly complex molecule would be the size of a fist. Atoms, though, are about 1/10,000 the size of bacteria, and bacteria are about 1/10,000 the size of mosquitoes. The nucleus of the atom is about 1/100,000 the size of the atom itself.
NANOMEDICINE
The potential of nanotechnology to influence medicine is vast. Take the case of thrombosis where there is the formation of blood clots within the vascular system. Special minute machines known as nanorobots could be constructed which could be introduced into the blood stream where they would clear an obstruction where blood flow could resume and tissue ischemia avoided.
Our bodies build and repair cells every day in our bodies. It is envisioned that cell repair machines will be constructed to assist in artificially building and repairing cells. The potential to influence diseased cellular structures is enormous.
NANONUTRIENTS
The aspiration of mankind is for a long and healthy life. To assist in that pursuit we currently employ diet, exercise, nutritional supplements and drugs. Advances in biochemistry and molecular technology will extend life. The advent of advanced cell repair machines holds a tantalizing prospect of rejuvenation and longevity.
The main engineering material of living cells is protein. DNA is constructed by particular sequencing of nucleotide molecules. DNA directs molecular machines called ribosomes. Ribosomes build proteins based in instructions stored on RNA strands (DNA copies its information onto RNA strands). Proteins are in different forms and some are enzymes. Enzymes are like machines which build up and break down molecules. Other forms of protein are hormones which bind with other proteins in order to signal cells to change their behaviour. Amino acids form protein chains. It is how we can arrange these amino acids in a manner in which their behaviour is predictable that will influence our understanding of the potential of protein in the biochemical realm. The idea with nanotechnology is to use protein machines to build nanomachines. There are problems with proteins that will have to be overcome - proteins quit when dried, freeze when chilled and cook when heated. Enzymes are the major facilitators of process as they assemble DNA, RNA, proteins, fats, hormones and chlorophyll by "grabbing" molecules and holding them together in bond form.
As the development of nanotechnology becomes more of a reality, a number of new innovations are surfacing which are steps towards a precise system. Genetic engineering and biotechnology are paths that have taken us forward in our understanding of the minute molecular world. As a practical example, the company Nanotherapeutics has developed a NanocoatTM process which enables the micro-encapsulation of pharmaceutical powders for inhaled, injectable and oral dry products.
The discovery of the FoodState® process represents another significant step in the journey of providing nutrients in an efficient way to the cells of the body. The FoodState® technology explores how coordination chemistry works in the highly compartmentalized confines of the cell. Its discovery of how specific proteins become bonded at a molecular level with various essential nutrients and then act as effective carriers to the destinations of utility in the body provide insight into the functioning of the protein machines at molecular level.
The protein machines are significant players in the way in which nutrients are absorbed, transported, stored and utilized in the human body. Nutrients do not wander aimlessly looking for receptor sites but are escorted by protein carriers to specific locations within the cell. This system of delivering nutrients is a quantum leap forward in specificity and efficiency. Nutrients can now be successfully utilized instead of being randomly supplied with the "hope" of appropriate connection and function.
The Sportron company worldwide are participants in developing nanonutrition into a precise and useful science where nutrients and elements of wellness can be effectively delivered at a cellular level. Most of the nutritional supplement market provides nutrients in a gross isolated form without much capacity for accurate delivery and targeting appropriate destinations. Through the NanomatrixTM system the delivery of specific nutrients and elements for optimising physiological function will be continually developed to enhance efficiencies of delivery and utilization. NanomatrixTM technology is concerned with cell repair and cell nourishing mechanisms which will extend both the quality and the length of life. The technology postulates that if there is efficient delivery of nutrients and elements of all the basic biochemical building blocks to precise locations within the body at a molecular level, then there will be a dramatic reduction of pathology and morbidity and a potential extension of life. Sportron is committed to the advancement of nanotechnology and to the improvement of the quality of life.
REFERENCES :
Petersen, Christine; Molecular Nanotechnology: The Next Industrial Revolution.
Drexler, K. Eric; Engines of Creation.
Foresight Institute; Is the Revolution Real? Debating the future of Nanotechnology
Fallon, Jim; Nanotherapeutics
Freitas, Robert A.; Nanomedicine Art Gallery
Daniells, Stephen; Nutraingredients