Workshop 1

"Nanomedicine: Biocompatibility and Applications Part 1: Biocompatibility of Nanoparticles"

Date: Monday, May 21, 2007

Organizer(s):
 Miriam Rafailovich (Stony Brook University)

Location: Bldg. 555, Chemistry, Hamilton Seminar Room

Description:

The use of Nanoparticles in biological systems is rising rapidly. Some of the more prevalent uses are delivery vehicles, cell markers and carriers of enzymes or genomic materials. But, as their use increases though, concerns are also rising rapidly as to their interactions with cells and living tissues. The important question that must be addressed, is whether size by itself introduces a new toxic element and in the case where a low level of toxicity is already possible, whether the use nanoparticles greatly enhances the risk. This workshop focuses on both the uses of nanoparticles in biological systems, as well as the toxicity implications of working on the nanoscale.