Jordanian scientists working on a nanotechnology project are hopeful that their efforts will translate into practical applications in the fields of cancer ... 

Jordanian scientists working on a nanotechnology project are hopeful that their efforts will translate into practical applications in the fields of cancer therapy and bacteriology, among others.
The teams, sponsored by the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), coordinate their research with international peers. Their technologies and initial findings were presented at a meeting on Thursday chaired by HRH Prince Hassan, who called for developing the efforts into a national project with a clearly set vision and scale of priorities.

According to web definitions, nanotechnology is the science of building devices at the molecular and atomic level. For example, a single data bit might be represented by only one atom some time in the future. The size of one particle of new material, which is manufactured by rearranging the structure of the original material's molecule, should be less than 200 nanometres (a nanometre is one billionth of a metre).

Beyond its use in computers and communications devices, nanotechnology could be used to build devices, change the properties of materials, and extensively in biotechnology.

The Jordanian project started with joint research by Layla Abu Hassan, a physics professor at the University of Jordan, and her peer from Illinois University Jordanian-US scientist Munir Nayfeh, on nano-silicon. Nayfeh and Abu Hassan have already registered patents with the US authorities in the field.

Teams of researches have received samples of the nano-silicon prepared by the duo. Scientist Muna Hassoneh from Yarmouk University has been leading a team exploring the prospects of using nano-silicon in early detection and fighting of cancer cells.

Initial findings are encouraging, according to HCST Secretary General Khalid Shraideh and Hassoneh. If the efforts succeed, Jordan will be the world's pioneer in the field, the scientists told the meeting, which attracted the participation of university presidents and heads of concerned scientific institutions.

According to Hassoneh, the mechanism they seek to prove feasible is to inject suspected cancer cells with nano-silicon, whose optical qualities might help locate these cells at an early stage. A further step would be to add poisonous chemicals or laser to the non-poisonous silicon particles so as to kill the cancer cells without harming "innocent" cells as the case is now with chemotherapy, the scientist explained.

Another researcher, Hanan Malkawi, said initial findings of her study indicate that nano-silicon might be helpful in detecting bacteria and other organisms that cause diseases, such as salmonella.

Existing detection tests rely on the "culture" technique which needs days to yield results and prove that food, water, urine, stool or blood contain such organisms.

Shraideh said the HCST is now implementing an executive programme to establish a national network for advanced materials and nano-technology. The council is optimistic that the technology, in the hands of Jordanian scientists, will find its way to real-life applications in a variety of fields, including IT, ceramics, magnetic materials industry, and environment.