Nanotech and the developing world

From nanotechweb.org: "Will Prince Charles et al diminish the opportunities of developing countries in nanotechnology?" (January 2004)

Nanotechnology offers a range of potential benefits for developing countries. Nanometre-sized quantum dots can be used to tag biological molecules for the identification of proteins that indicate disease status7 without many of the drawbacks associated with conventional organic dyes used to mark cells. Quantum dots could eventually be used in clinical diagnostic tests to quickly detect molecules associated with cancer cells and HIV/AIDS. This has great relevance to developing countries, where over 95% of new HIV infections occurred in 2002.

Quantum dot optical biosensors can be used for the detection of TB, which along with HIV and Malaria is responsible for half of infectious disease mortality in developing countries. In India, the Central Scientific Instruments Organization has recently announced plans for the development of a prototype nanotechnology-based TB diagnostic kit which would reduce the cost and time required for TB tests and also use a smaller amount of blood for testing12. Further, quantum dots and other nanomaterials could be integrated with microtechnology to develop inexpensive miniaturized devices for medical diagnostics. The size of these devices would allow them to be easily used in remote regions. Vaccinations that have greatly reduced child mortality in developing countries could be administered in a more controlled and targeted manner using nanoparticle delivery systems. Two US-patented nanoparticle drug delivery systems developed by researchers at the University of Delhi have already been transferred to Indian industry for commercialization. Nanotechnology-based bone scaffolds have the ability to repair damaged skeletal tissue caused by injury resulting from road traffic accidents, the so-called “unseen epidemic” of developing countries.

In China, a recently developed nanotechnology bone scaffold has been tested in 26 hospital patients. Enzyme biosensors can be used to monitor soil and crop toxicity levels to improve agricultural quality control in developing countries. Water purification technologies have been recognized as one of several key nanotechnology applications for developing countries. The University of Brazil is currently conducting research on nanomagnets that would be attracted to oil to aid the clean-up of large oil spills. Many of these activities, of course, also hold promise for economic development.