Tiny science providing big answers

[Guest guest]

Fancy a shirt or blouse that never needs ironing, that self-cleans and

changes colour to the shade of your choice?

Through nanotechnology, we may one day be buying clothes with all

these features.

The science of the tiny, which deals with the minute world of atoms,

is creating smarter products covering almost every facet of life. Most

importantly, it is helping scientists create potential cures for some

of our biggest health challenges.

Nanotechnology is the creation of things on the 'nano' scale, based on

the measurement of a nanometre, or one billionth of a metre.

Bill Price, professor of nanotechnology at the University of Western

Sydney, said by manipulating atoms and molecules, scientists are

creating smarter materials and devices with new electrical, chemical,

and even mechanical characteristics.

" One day they may be able to create a suit that can iron and clean

itself and even change colour, " Professor Price said.

Scientists are shrinking technology at an ever-increasing rate, and

the day is in sight when electronic components will be up to 1,000

times smaller than they are now. Computers will be smaller still, and

the ever-popular iPod could become a simple ear plug in the future.

Price, who this week received a $440,000 state government award for

research into nanobiotechnology, said we're just starting to wake up

to the endless possibilities.

" The most obvious example (of current nanotechnology) is some of our

sunscreens with nanoparticles in it, " he said.

The old-fashioned thick white zinc sunscreen is now contained in the

new lotions but in tiny particles.

" If you have zinc particles and they are on a nanoscale, then they can

be clear, " Price said.

Over the next four years, Price is embarking on a major research

venture using the combination of nanotechnology and biology.

His research focuses on understanding how biomolecules, especially

proteins, associate.

Biomolecular association is fundamental in all biological processes

and forms the crux of nanobiotechnology.

" The association of protein molecules is important under normal

physiological conditions and in diseased states such as with

Alzheimer's disease or cataracts, " he said.

In less than two decades, we could improve our biology and our

evolutionary future with nanobiotechnology, Price said.

" Innovative science frequently attracts social fear, but with greater

knowledge and understanding, people will eventually realise that we

are improving our lives by enhancing our biology. "

Scientists eventually hope to build tiny machines that can help heal

the body. Injecting nanobots, or tiny nanoparticle machines, into the

blood may become the common treatment to deliver drugs, remove cancer

or repair damaged cells or muscles.

Price said future advances in the new field of nanobiotechnology could

help areas from medicine and agriculture to the food industry.

But funding for such projects was always an uphill battle, he said.

" I think we have progressed quite a way but I think we need more

funding from the government and elsewhere, " he said.

" But if you compare, say, what some governments in countries like ours

contribute, I don't think we are up there like we should be. "

A lack of talent is not an issue - the problem is that science is

expensive and does not deliver results quickly.

" I just think we need to make Australia more attractive so they

(talented scientists) don't disappear overseas as happens a lot, "

Price said.