NANOSENS 2008

NANOSENS 2008 highlights latest developments of nanosensors for applications in biology and medicine!

Nanotechnology is more than the extreme end of miniaturisation: physical, chemical and biological functions are joining at the nanoscale and enable new possibilities for sensor development. Nanotechnology offers innovative tools for detection where conventional technologies are reaching their limits and has the potential to make significant contributions to detection and prevention of diseases.

The conference is an information and discussion forum presenting recent R&D results in four selected topical fields with highest application potential. NANOSENS 2008 is of great interest for industrial users as well as scientists and advanced students.

TOPICS

FUNCTIONALISED SURFACES AND BIOSENSORS
Specific surface functionalisation is indispensable for biosensors where a target molecule should interact with biorecognition elements such as enzymes, DNA, antibodies or cells. A successful interaction results in a change of optical, thermal, electrochemical or magnetic properties which is converted into an electronic detector signal.

NANO-OBJECTS: BIOMEDICAL ALL-ROUNDERS?
Nano-objects are exploited for manifold tasks in diagnostics and therapeutics. Most promising are nanoparticles which harvest cancer biomarkers, quantum dots which are superior to conventional dye molecules, nano-barcodes as biomarkers, magnetic iron colloid nanoparticles for MRI detection, and smart therapeutic interventions by medication encapsulated in a nanomatrix.

LAB-ON-A-CHIP
Lab-on-a-chip technology means the miniaturisation of automated laboratory bench-top manipulations and their integration with biosensing mechanisms on a single microchip platform. The lab-on-a-chip allows for conducting cheap and sensitive high-throughput analysis and comprises all essential components, such as sensors, sensor surface chemistry and fluidics in a micro-environment.

NEMS — EVEN SMALLER MEMS
The biggest challenge is to link events at the nanoscale with the macroscopic world. Are single molecules applicable as sensor elements with high responsivity? Will the interface between microelectronics and the bio-world provide reliable operation in order to deliver measurement results? These questions will be addressed in different views of industry and science.