Bringing Nanotechnology to Health Care for the poor
Nanotechnology uses matter at the level of molecules and atoms. Researchers are finding different uses for particles with a length of one nanometer, or one-billionth of a meter. These include things like beauty products1 and dirt-resistant clothing. But one area where many experts believe nanotechnology holds great promise is medicine.
Last week, speakers at a program in Washington discussed using nanotechnology to improve health care in developing countries. The program took place at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Peter Singer at the University of Toronto says a nanotechnology called quantum dots2 could be used to confirm cases of malaria. He says it could offer a better way than the traditional process of looking at a person’s blood under a microscope.
In poor countries, this process is often not followed. As a result, sick people may get treated for malaria even if they do not have it. Such misuse of medicines can lead to drug resistance. Quantum dots are particles that give off3 light when activated. Researchers are studying ways to program them to identify diseases by lighting up in the presence of targeted molecule. 4
Experts say nanotechnology shows promise not just for diagnosing diseases, but also for treating them. Piotr Grodzinski of the National Institutes of Health5 talked about how nanotechnology could make drugs more effective. He talked about cancer drugs already developed with nanotechnology. He says if a drug can target a cancer locally in the body, then much less of it might be needed, and that means lower side effects.6
Andrew Maynard is chief scientist for the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson Center. He noted that Brazil, India, China and South Africa are currently doing nanotechnology research that could help poor countries. But he also noted that there is some risk in using nano-materials. He says nanometer-sized particles behave differently in the body and the environment compared to larger particles7. Experts say more investment in research is needed to better understand these risks.
注释：
1. beauty product:美容产品
2. quantum dot (QD):量子点。可取代传统染色法,成为细胞内的突光标记物,可进行长时间、多分子、同时检测。
3. give off:放出;发出(蒸汽、光线、烟雾、气味等)
4. Researchers are studying ways to program them to identify diseases by lighting up in the presence of a targeted molecule.研究人员正在研究为它们编程的方法,以便如果有靶分子存在时能通过发光辨认疾病。light up点灯;发光。targeted molecule:靶分子。
5. National Institutes of Health (NIH)：国立卫生研究院
6. side effect:副作用
7. compared to larger particles:如果与大一点的颗粒比较起来的话。这是一个过去分词短语,作条件状语。