Nano Aesthetics

Carbon exists naturally in two very different forms: the graphite common to pencil lead, and the rather more beautiful, extremely durable diamond. While carbon atoms are common to all organic molecules including sugars, fats, proteins and DNA, in pure (atomic) form as diamond, their beauty is crystal clear. Being the hardest substance known to man, diamonds are not only popular in the jewellery trade; they also make terrific drill bits. And now researchers are discovering that diamond holds promise for biomedicine too. Being lightweight and conductive, it can mimic natural materials in the body. Increasing amounts of research are being carried out to assess its suitability for medical application. Scientists are already exploring its use as a biosensor by growing diamonds in the lab, and seeding their surfaces with molecules that help detect cancer-promoting factors in the body. Nano-diamonds are opening up new avenues for biomedical diagnostics.

Written by Brona McVittie

Brona McVittie

Writer/Consultant

Independent science blogger and musician. Got the whole BPoD show on the road while heading up the public engagement team at the MRC CSC. Loves gardening, cooking and diving. Makes corkbots too.

• Image originally published under Creative Commons (CC-BY 2.0)
• Steve Jurvetson
• Published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics 33(1), 152–157