What La Trobe is Doing

La Trobe University has various ongoing projects involving nanotechnology. They have teams working on molecular engineering, or creating individual molecules, they are working on devices capable of recording on the nano-scale, and are working on using nanotechnology in medicine, in areas such as synthesising antibodies, and creating hollow nanoparticles to carry drugs to a pinpointed position in the body. La Trobe does have very little to no work being done on investigating dangers and risks of nanotechnology, which should be a focus in the development of any new technology. However, La Trobe is still doing great work in this field.

Dr Brian Abbey is working on using nanotechnology to develop early detection for diseases such as celiac disease and malaria. He and his team have worked to create a new kind of microscope, which can theoretically find the difference between a regualar red blood cell, and a red blood cell infected with an early development of the malaria parasite. Previously, this could not be done until the parasite was in much later stages of development. Early detection for diseases such as malaria could make a huge difference in areas where malaria is still very deadly, as malaria is a preventable and curable disease. Similar early detection programs are being done for other diseases. This is an example of how nanotechnology can be used in medicine and stopping disease.

La Trobe University also really encourages young people to go into the field of nanotechnology. They have spent millions of dollars on equipment involving nanotechnology. They have their own X-Ray Photoelectron spectrometer, a device that is used to analyse the chemical element composition of a substance, which has many uses in identifying nanoparticles, and this machine is available for hands-on use by students. They also have ties with the Melbourne Synchotron, meaning it is available to many who have need of it. They have also invested money in a fourth generation X-Ray light source, which give La Trobe research teams easier access to one. At the moment, only two of these machines exist, and only about 4% of applicants are actually approved for this. La Trobe has put a lot of investment into nanotechnology facilities, making it much easier for people to enter into the field of nanotechnology.

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