science fiction becoming science fact

THE MOLECULAR CONVERGENCETULSA, OK 9-21-07

Dr. David LembergExecutive Producer, SCIENCE AND SOCIETY 1

Arthur C. Clarke, author of 2001: A Space Odyssey


Nanotechnology Biomedicine Information technology


Harness the possibilities of new science New job creation Economic growth and development Urban renewal

Creative expansion Better living and better lives Fulfillment of human potential Stockholm, Sweden


http://www.isa.se/templates/Normal____59003.aspx

Manipulation of molecules and matter Precision assembly of matter Living systems do this every minute of

every day Building proteins Respiration Plants −photosynthesis


One nanometer (nm) − one millionth the width of a human hair

10 hydrogen atoms side-by-side = 1 nm Visible light approx. 500 nm


All nano action is at the surface − it’s all about the surface area

As a particle gets smaller and smaller, its surface area compared to its volume gets greater and greater Villi of small intestine Receptors on cell membranes DNA packing in chromosomes

DNA in one cell is six feet long!!!


At the nanoscale, surface properties become crucial AND controllable

And, properties change based on the dimensions


“There is no industry that will not be touched by nanotechnology.”

Dr. Eric Isaacs, Director of the Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, and Professor of Physics, James Franck Institute, University of Chicago


http://nano.anl.gov/

Carbon nanotubes Super strong Super light Super flexible

60-100 times as strong as steel Excellent conductors, so great for

electronics


$100K per pound to launch to Mars and Jupiter

Lighter and stronger nano-materials Instrumentation Propulsion Navigation systems Sensors


Carbon nanotube-based x-ray tubes Evaluate small rock samples (for Mars in

2009) Tiny gas sensors based on carbon

nanotubes Analyze extraterrestrial atmospheres

Sensor webs 1000s of tiny sensors Sensing and computing capabilities Planetary-wide topography, atmosphere, signs

of lifeDr. David Lemberg

Executive Producer, SCIENCE AND SOCIETY 13

15-20 minutes for one-way signal between Mars Rovers and JSC in Houston

Need autonomous (independent-thinking) spacecraft for long-range missions

Spacecraft makes decisions locally Need enormous computing power

Enter nanotechnology!


One million times faster than what’s on our desktops (1015 versus 109)

Need super-fast components Nano-computing Molecular transistors (switches) Ultra-high-density memory chips

(109 more than is possible right now) Use optics (light) rather than electrons

Side benefit − laptops won’t get hot


The number one problem facing the next generation of scientists

Alternative sources Renewable sources Sustainable sources

Need innovative solutions − multidisciplinary approaches


The 50 Terawatt (TW) Problem

Where’s all the energy going to come from?

Global energy consumption was 14 TW per year in 2002

Energy is already a scarce resource Energy is our #1 national security issue


Based on projections, the world will consume 50 TW of energy in 2100.

In 1953, the science fiction master Robert Heinlein wrote “Revolt in 2100”.

He may have been very close to the truth.

But − help may be only 93,000,000 miles away.

Sunlight brings 14 TW of energy per day to the surface of the Earth


Photovoltaics Solar cells Solar panels

Photosynthesis Biomimetics − mimic this process using

nanoscale technology Biology Chemistry Engineering


Inorganic-organic composites TiO2–DNA

Titanium dioxide–DNA interface A nanoscopic battery !!!

TiO2 (a semiconductor) absorbs sunlight DNA separates the electric charge The structure stores the charge like a battery

Current grand challenge – how to store charge?“What do you do at night?”


“Create a new curriculum for nanobiology”

Help each discipline understand the others

Basic biology for engineers Develop full majors in

nanobiology, nano-economics, nano-engineering

Dr. Nathan Cady, Assistant Professor of Nanobioscience, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, SUNY University at Albany


Mimic biology to build structures at the nanoscale Genetically modifiable biological macromolecules

Harness cellular proteins to build a structure on an inorganic surface Build circuits

DNA-based biosensors to detect pathogens Multiplex sensors – detect 10-100 pathogens in a

sample Implantable prosthetic devices

Tissue bioengineeringDr. David Lemberg


Build new mathematical models for robots

Program many simple rules → emergent autonomous behavior

Dr. Dennis Hong, Director, Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory, Virginia Tech


DARwin (Dynamic Anthropomorphic Robot With Intelligence)

Navigates obstacles and traverses uneven terrain

Plays soccer Competed in 2007 RoboCup

Communicates by sign Reads “dance” and dances Reads “handshake” and shakes hands

Plays dice gameDr. David Lemberg


MARS (Multi-Appendage Robotics System) Uses lightweight carbon tube construction NASA developing legged vehicles for zero-

G activities Autonomous inspection and maintenance

outside space stationWhole Skin Locomotion – cytoplasmic

streaming Search and rescue – collapsed building Medical apps – robotic endoscope


Cancer affects 1.3M Americans each year New diagnoses 25% hereditary; 75% environment and

exposureOf these, 550,000 will die of cancer

What we need is early detection and eradication!


Not identified early enough for prevention and effective treatment

At-risk population is not well-identified Current treatment based on “how the

tumor looks under the microscope” VERSUS the molecular changes that are the REAL PROBLEM

Current treatment represents “average treatment for the average tumor” BUT no two tumors are alike


“Am I or my family at risk for cancer?” Identify genes that predispose to cancer Identify molecular signatures in early

cancer

Cancer patients – “What kind of treatment will I get and will I survive?”

Understand changes in cancer cells Advanced pharmaceuticals targeted to

specific alterationsDr. David Lemberg


“Certain mutations are a beacon telling us something has gone wrong”

“We need more sensitive technology to find subtle changes at low concentrations”

Dr. Francis Barany, Professor of Microbiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Director of Mutation Research, Strang Cancer Prevention Center


Chromosomal instability Gene duplication Gene rearrangement Gross losses of chromosome material

So – most solid tumors have many genetic mutations

And, tumor cells can suppress or silence genes that normally suppress cell growth

And, malignant cells have multiple strategies to allow them to become invasive or metastatic


Evade normal mechanisms of the immune system

Ability to acquire a blood supply Ability to become highly motile and travel

in the blood stream and lymphatics

Cancer therapy is an arms race.


Study how genes are disregulated in cancer progression

Identify the genetic signatures of cells

Probe gene expression, determine which are upregulated and which are suppressed

Dr. Barbara Hempstead, Co-Division Chief, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical CollegeDr. David Lemberg


Obesity ↑ risk of breast CA by 50% Fat cells are small biochemical factories

→ produce estrogen, polypeptide GFs (e.g., insulin)

Overabundance of these biologically active proteins promote carcinogenesis (hypothesis)

Fat cells produce leptin, which promotes breast CA cell growth and metastasis

High leptin levels are correlated with higher-grade tumors


“The genetic makeup of single cancer cells is very important.”

Cells that express different types of receptors will respond to different combinations of drugs Anti-estrogens and anti-GFs

How diet might modify expression of cancer-related genes

Dr. Eva Surmacz, internationally recognized expert in cancer biology – Director, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sbarro Health Research Organization


Genetic risk assessment Family history Genetic screening – genomic data“Personalize” treatment to groups ↑ surveillance ↑ screening


Cancer genetics nirvana – “keeping healthy people healthy”

Smart consumer – “how’s my family history and what’s my genetic risk”

20-50 years – highly accurate risk assessment based on family and personal hx, and a small panel of genes

Dr. Charis Eng, Chair and Founding Director, Genomic Medicine Institute of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation


National Science Foundation K-12 Initiative Grad students mentor middle-school and

HS teachers Focus on problem-based learning

“Interactive pedagogies” Engage and excite students in math and

science education


Responsibility to communicate science to the public

Engage in how science is taught Be translators – explain their own work


Center for Science Education at Emory University

Summer programs for 9th-11th graders 97% go on to college science

majors 150 new curriculum models

Dr. Pat Marsteller, Director, Emory College Center for Science Education


Address public concerns about science and how science is done

Use jargon-free language Address need for basic research and its

costs Codes of ethics and safety protocols Self-correcting nature of science Public learns not to believe what they

read in newspapers Public learns they can ask questions, too


Five Grand Challenges (the 5 E’s) Energy Environment Economics Education Ethics (harmony, global cooperation)


Grand challenges in medicine Personalized, preventive, and prescriptive

medicine Cancer prevention and treatment Diabetes and obesity Alzheimer’s disease Heart disease and stroke Quality of life with increasing longevity

We live in the most exciting time in history for human growth and development


science fiction becoming science fact

Documents

surface properties

surface areaas

nanoscale materials

tiny gas sensors

cell membranesdna packing

societyall nano action

human hair10 hydrogen

professor of physics