Comments on: ‘Artificial atoms’ allow for sensing magnetic fields of individual cells

By: Giulio Prisco

Giulio Prisco — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 16:31:05 +0000

This technique permits moving nanosensor probes in tissue samples, and collecting the results. Not yet a full nanoscale body/brain scan, but a step in an interesting direction. A preliminary version of the Nature Nano paper paper is on arXiv (open access), see References.

By: Ian Clarke

Ian Clarke — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:12:27 +0000

Thanks for the replies. Whilst I could appreciate the advancement, I was struggling to see its application. I think I have a better understanding now.

By: Snake Oil Baron

Snake Oil Baron — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:25:02 +0000

I think they mean to use this in a lab setting rather than on patients. In addition to just studying cells–which would benefit greatly from this–biopsies might be used to make a specific patient’s cells accessible.

By: Bri

Bri — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:33:03 +0000

Although this technique is being developed for use with isolated cells, it may be a precursor to the sensors that nanobots will use. I am assuming that the particles that they created are comprised of only a few atoms. The big challenge with nanorobotics is keeping all the components down to a minimum. This would probably be strictly an imaging sensor. I don’t think it would be practical in terms of orientation, in reference to navigation.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:12:13 +0000

Considering they’re using optical tweezers, it sounds more like this is an in-vitro technique for studying individual cells.

By: Ian Clarke

Ian Clarke — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:00:33 +0000

Let me see if I’ve got this right. A patient is injected with these nanoparticles, which are then directed through the body to the areas being scanned, and then somehow retrieved/expelled from the body afterwards?