July 31, 2006 - Health

sagar: Author=’Jorge Salazar’ program=’4957′ video=”Skin cancer cells_DB:_ This is “Earth & Sky”:/http://208.96.63.114/. Scientists have created tiny sensors, smaller than a living cell, to detect changes in body chemistry known as pH.

_JB:_ The sensors were made using nanotechnology, the science of the very small. They might someday aid in cancer detection, curing diabetes, and more. “Earth & Sky”:/ spoke with research scientist Naomi Halas, Director of Rice University’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics in Houston.

_Naomi Halas:_ People have known for years, for example, that the pH of a tumor is different whether the tumor is malignant or benign.

_DB:_ Halas and her lab developed what they call “nanoshells:” tiny glass beads covered in gold. In a way similar to medical x-rays, the nanoshells can be fine tuned to scatter, or focus, light that the body is most transparent to.

_Naomi Halas:_ We have taken our nanoparticles and covered them with a special molecular layer that has a sensitive light-scattering response to pH. So that means that what we’ve built by constructing that little particle is essentially a light-in, light-out pH meter.

_JB:_ That’s our show. Join us in celebrating “Earth & Sky”:/’s 15th anniversary – and 5,000th radio show – at earthsky.org. With thanks to the National Science Foundation, we’re Block and Byrd for “Earth & Sky”:/http://208.96.63.114/.

Written by EarthSky