materialinnovation.de, PF 320252, D-50796 Köln, Germany, Tel.: +49 221 26189572; Fax: +49 221 26189573; E-mail: materialinnovation@netcologne.de On March 4 – 6, the 6th international NanoMed conference highlighted recent developments in biomedical applications of nanotechnology. With 150 participants from 30 nations, more than 30 talks and 40 posters it lived up to its reputation as one of the lead events in this field of research. The event took place in the Great Lecture Hall of the renowned Berlin university hospital Charité. It had been jointly organized by cc-NanoChem e. V. and NanoBioNet e. V., two of the biggest federal German networks in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and nanobiotechnology. The Steering Committee consisted of Conference President Andreas Jordan (MagForce Nanotechnologies AG, Berlin), Günter Rolf Fuhr (Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, St. Ingbert), Matthias Hannig (Saarland University Hospital, Homburg), and Michael Veith (Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken). Previous editions of the NanoMed conference series had taken place in Berlin in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2006. With this ten years history it has established itself as the most durable meeting on this topic in Germany. The program covered the entire range of nanomedical research:
• novel bioactive nanomaterials
• progress in nanomedical cancer treatment
• new systems for drug delivery and drug and gene targeting
• new analytical and diagnostic tools
• nanomaterials for dental applications, and
• tissue engineering and regenerative medicine Special focus was put on products in the phase of clinical tests and with imminent market introduction. Besides scientists from numerous German universities and institutes of the Leibniz, Max Planck and Fraunhofer Societies, the program featured speakers from high-ranking international research facilities (including Oxford, SUNY Buffalo, Rice University, NASA), the pharmaceutical and health care industry (Bayer, Philips, 3M), and nanotech SMEs (MagForce Nanotechnologies, MagnaMedics, JPK Instruments). The small associated industrial exhibition was strongly frequented. As in previous years, many researchers from East European countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Russia) used the event as a platform for the dissemination of their scientific results. New nanoobjects and materials for medical applications The oral presentations program was opened with a Conference Keynote Lecture by Paras N. Prasad (State University of New York at Buffalo, USA) who reported on the application of novel nanomaterials in rapid diagnosis of influenza, AIDS, malaria, cholera, and tuberculosis, and on approaches towards targeted therapeutics against cancer, depression, pain, asthma, addiction and obesity. Heinrich Hofmann (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland) gave an overview of the use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for in vitro protein separation from cells, as contrast agent for molecular imaging, and in hypothermia. The application of micro- and nanostructured silicon (porous silicon, PS) for optical sensing in protein and DNA microarrays, and the use of small PS particles as carriers for controlled drug delivery and targeting were the subject of the presentation by Irina Kleps (National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnology, Bucharest, Romania). Little is known, so far, on the mechanisms of nanoparticle uptake into brain cells. First results on the accumulation of citrate-coated iron oxide nanoparticles in cultured brain astrocytes were presented by Mark Geppert (University of Bremen, Germany). Bronchial mucociliary clearance and alveolar macrophage mediated clearance pose restrictions to successful inhalation therapy. Michael Bur (Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany) reported on a study on clearance mechanisms in relation to particle size. A significant influence of size on macrophage uptake was found, whereas little size dependence was established for mucociliary clearance. Michael Veith (Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany) spoke about aluminum/aluminum oxide ceramic nanowires derived by Chemical Vapor Deposition and deposited on surfaces as substrates for selective cell adhesion. The production of nanocrystalline dispersions of pharmaceuticals by means of agitator bead milling was introduced by Stefan Mende (NETZSCH Feinmahltechnik, Selb, Germany). Nanotechnology in cancer treatment Andreas Jordan (MagForce Nanotechnologies, Berlin, Germany) presented promising results of recent and ongoing clinical tests of the company’s proprietary cancer thermotherapy with magnetic nanoparticles. The approval of the European authorities will be applied for this year and is expected to be received in 2010. A theoretical study on cadmium sulfide and cadmium sulfide/zinc sulfide quantum dots for application in early stage cancer detection, including predictions of size dependent cell toxicity, was the subject of the talk held by Rodion Belosludov (Sendai University, Japan). Emily S. Day (Rice University, Houston, USA) reported on nanoshells with a silica or gold sulfide core and an ultrathin gold wall. They may be used to image cancer cells since they show two-photon induced photoluminescence. Increasing the energy output of the laser allows for destruction of cancer cells by thermoablation, due to the conversion of light energy into heat by the nanoshells. Promising studies on magnetic targeting of the cytostatic agent mitroxantrone, coupled to iron oxide nanoparticles, into subcutaneous rhabdomyosarcoma in rats were presented by Manfred G. Krukemeyer (University of Münster, Germany). Nanomaterials for dental applications Nanoscale fillers have played an important role in the development of materials for teeth restoration for almost three decades, already. Thomas Luchterhandt (3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany) reported on the company’s pioneering role in this field and on recent achievements in combining functionality, such as fluoride release and easy-to-clean properties, with highly aesthetic appearance. Anti-adhesive nanocomposite dental coatings against biofilm formation, occlusion of open dentinal tubules by means of nanoparticles, and remineralization and biomimetic repair of initial caries and erosive lesions were the subjects of the lecture by Matthias Hannig (Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany). Mieczylaw Jurczyk (Poznan University of Technology, Poland) spoke about novel titanium-based biocompatible nanocomposites for dental prosthetics. Drug and gene delivery, targeting and controlled release The talk held by Alf Lamprecht (University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France/University of Bonn, Germany) focused on enhanced drug bioavailability and strategies for the therapy of gastrointestinal inflammations after oral administration. Gabor Lancz (Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia) reported on polymeric nanospheres containing iron oxide as carriers for taxol in magnetic drug targeting. A novel concept for the generation of nanoparticle bioconjugates was introduced by Svea Petersen (Laser Zentrum Hannover, Germany). Formation of stable gold nanoparticle-DNA conjugates during ultrashort pulsed laser ablation in liquids was discussed in detail. Nanoparticles, when entering the bloodstream, are coated with a “corona” of more or less strongly bound proteins. Paul Wentworth (University of Oxford, UK) presented preliminary results suggesting that conjugation of small molecules to the nanoparticle surface results in modulation of the “corona”, thus possibly opening a new path for their in vivo targeting. Dmitry Volodkin (Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany) reported on the formation of sponge-like capsules via layer-by-layer self-assembly. The capsules have a high ability to capture proteins. Modification with gold nanoparticles makes the capsules light sensitive, to the effect of stimuli-triggered cargo release. Ernst Wagner (Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany) lectured on nanoscaled dynamic polymer particles for therapeutic DNA and RNA delivery. Nanobiomaterials and regenerative medicine Edward Botchwey (University of Connecticut, Hartford, USA) gave an overview of recent developments in the field of biodegradable polymeric nanofibers as extra-cellular matrix mimic scaffolds for tissue engineering. Degradable polyurethanes from non-toxic building blocks for use as scaffolds promoting cell adhesion and as guides for peripheral nerve repair were the subject of the talk by Gianluca Ciardelli (Politecnico di Torino, Italy). Ioana Slabu (RWTH Aachen, Germany) reported on the distribution of superparamagnetic nanoparticles within textile implants for positive contrast visualization in magnetic resonance imaging. Potential risks of nanoparticles Paul Borm (Zuyd University, Heerlen, The Netherlands / MagnaMedics, Aachen, Germany) discussed the methodological challenges for a reasonable risk assessment for nanoparticles with respect to their medical applications. Laser ablation of solids in gases and liquids enables the generation of nanoparticles free from byproducts and additives. Stephan Barcikowski (Laser Zentrum Hannover, Germany) introduced pure metal, alloy and ceramic nanoparticles obtained by this method as reference materials for risk assessment studies. Annika Leifert (RWTH Aachen, Germany) presented results of a study on the size dependent cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles. The European Commission has set up a coordination and support action under the name “NANOMED Round Table”. Kuan-Ting Chi gave an overview of this one-year project that aims at providing European stakeholders with a set of recommendations to support decision making regarding nanomedical innovations. Nanobioanalytics and diagnostic tools Hans Hofstraat (Philips Research, Eindhoven, The Netherlands) spoke about the potential of nanomedicine in driving breakthroughs in healthcare. He stressed the importance of clinical researchers and health care professionals being involved in this process in order to make sure that meaningful solutions for relevant unmet needs are generated. Open innovation, public-private partnerships and collaborations between companies with complementary business scope were identified as means to make the visions of nanomedicine come true. Karen Köhler (Bayer Technology Services, Leverkusen, Germany) reported on first feasibility studies for in vivo applications of a novel class of optical labels based on up-conversion NaY4:Yb,Er nanophosphor particles. Photoacoustic imaging is a hybrid imaging technique combining features from optical and ultrasound methods. Frank Stracke (Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, St. Ingbert, Germany) gave an overview of the ongoing development of nanoparticulate contrast agents for this technique. The talk by Hua Chen (NASA Ames Research Center, Moffat Field, USA) focused on the application of carbon nanofibers in genechips and neural chips, and as intracellular probes for gene and drug delivery. Quin Li (Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia) reported on a new method for the generation of photoluminescent carbon dots and their study in cell culture. They show good biocompatibility, high photostability, and extraordinary transmembrane ability.
The conference showed that nanomedicine is still an extremely fruitful field of research. Despite crisis, occasional pessimism and a growing public debate on potential risks of nanotechnology, many nanomedical products have entered the stage of clinical testing and are heading towards approval and market introduction. Various new materials and approaches presented this year had been beyond imagination at the time of the previous NanoMed conference three years ago. Many “classical” materials such as superparamagnetic nanoparticles, carbon nanostructures and core-shell systems are still good for surprises and have by far not been tested to their limits yet. Participant feedback was very positive, in particular for the highly communicative and rather informal atmosphere of the event. The conference also gained strong media attention, including features by German public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk, and in renowned national daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. The 7th NanoMed conference will be held in fall 2010. | 
