Today a very cute old man came in to talk about NanoMedicine. Am I allowed to say he’s old? Is that offensive? Well I mean it in a superly awesome and good way. Anyways, he discussed the use of engineered molecular systems and molecular knowledge of human body to maintain. The different tools made with nanotechnology could be used for diagnosing diseases, biological materials, drugs and drug delievery. He also talked about nanofibers which could be used as biosensors. The nanofibers are made of polyanaline fibers, which will come into contact with vapors which then conducts electricity.
Look at those skinny little nanofibers!
The power of the current varies according to the pH of the vapors. The most interesting thing that he talked about were the vaults. The vaults are made of three proteins and a small RNA. There is the Major Vault Protein (MVP), the TEP1 and the VPARP. Unfor.tunately, the true function of these unusual vaults are unknown. Personally, I think that the vaults are probably useless like the vestigial organs in the human body (i.e. tailbone and appendex). Even though the scientists say they are going to use them as drug capsules to treat cancer, I feel like they will not be effective enough. They might be helpful in addition to chemotherapy, but they are probably not strong enough by themselves.
My favorite thing today was the zero wave function. I loved the elegant and smooth flowing movement of buckminster balls. I liked how I was able to make them larger and smaller with my hands.
My least favorite thing was having someone constantly taking pictures and filming me. It made me feel uncomfortable and self concious about my fat and ugly grossness. But thats ok I guess, because that’s her job and all.
