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New vaccines and printer ink
The discovery, which has led to diverse results, is the brainchild of Maren Roman from Virginia Tech in the US.
She is taking nanocrystal research to a new level that may lead to a new generation of vaccines and better computer printer ink.The assistant professor in the wood science and forest products department of the College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech will be presenting her findings at a conference in the US.The focus of her research deals with cellulose drug delivery and ink jet printing.
Roman experimented with taking cellulose nanocrystals and attaching antibodies to the surface of the crystals.This design enables the nanocrystals to block cell receptors in the body, which may eventually be used to create vaccines.Through the same receptor-blocking method, this process can combat the effects of some diseases involving inflammation of blood vessels, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers.Ink jet printing
ink jet printing was another research project for Roman.
She experimented with using ink jet printers to deposit the crystals because the printers’ main focus is precision.Nanocrystals are tiny and pose many difficulties to the people using them – a typical remedy involves converting the nanocrystals to a powder.This has risks as well, as the powder can be a serious health hazard if inhaled.The ink jet printing allows for a safe method of deposition of the nanocrystals.Results will be shared at the American Chemical Society 233rd National Meeting and Exposition in Chicago.
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