At the University, professors in chemistry, physics, engineering and medicine have been performing research in nanotechnology for at least a decade. After successes in receiving grants and discovering new concepts, some researchers say the University should better publicize its developments.

Over the past few years, faculty members have won federal grants supporting research in nanotech - the practice of manipulating, engineering and ultimately understanding the workings of molecular structures.

The Center for Biologic Nanotechnology in the Medical School, created in 1999, recently renewed its three-year contract, receiving about $7.8 million in federal funds to support the center's multidisciplinary approach.

Research in this area "will develop a whole new area of research that will intersect with virtually all areas: energy, medicine, environmental, and engineering," said CBN Director James Baker.

We are "probably more multi-interdisciplinary than any other group because we started early," said Claire Verweij, program manager for the center.

The CBN is not the only University department conducting research in the area. Chemistry Prof. Raoul Kopelman has received a three-year, $7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for his research with cancer.

"The aim is to try and destroy cancer cells. Obviously, when you deal with any kind of medication, the idea is to not only kill the bad cells but (to not kill) the good cells. Every medication has side effects, and that means you're killing good cells. Our real aim is to selectively kill cancer cells without killing the good cells," said Kopelman, who predicted that in three years he will be able to submit his treatment to the Food and Drug Administration.

The public, some professors contend, is largely unaware of the University's activities. The Office of the Vice President for Research, though it has supported faculty research, ithas been slow to publicize, they said.

"We should do a better job of presenting (our research activities) to the outside world and let them know the quality work that's going on at the University," Baker said.

Last week, OVPR held a meeting with several key faculty members involved in nanotech.

"OVPR's office is looking to initiate some activities in nanoscience and nanoengineering. They're just starting to talk about that," said Sharon Glotzer, a chemical engineering and material-science engineering professor. They are looking to "integrate many activities that are already going on."

But Glotzer added that any administrative activity is in its formative stages. "The idea is that maybe there'll be some initiative," she said.

At CBN, Verweij cited a number of grants the center has received, including a $2 million, three-year grant from the NASA for radiation research and a number of smaller grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy.

NASA has granted funds to the University to explore the effects of radiation exposure on the human body. By monitoring white blood cells' decay, researchers can develop a real-time monitor of radiation exposure, said Baker, a nanotechnology professor.

"NASA wants to go to Mars," said Nicholas Beeson� senior research associate for the University of Michigan Health System. "(They) are thinking way far ahead, but they are under some funding constraints."

But the center's most prominent work is with cancer. Scientists build dendrimers, or polymeric molecules, which comprise nano-devices.

"(Nano-devices) recognize a particular cell site. They report where they are. They deliver a drug passively. (Another) function is that we are able to detect whether or not the cell is living or dead," Beeson said. Using this technology, researchers have had success in selectively destroying cancer cells in mice.

The College of Engineering also researches in this area.

"In the 11 departments within engineering, I would say that three-fourths are doing research in nanotechnology," said James MacBain, research relations director for the college.

The implications are numerous, crossing academic disciplines and various sections of public policy. Researchers are using nanotech for environmental reasons, mainly in water purification.

Studying the properties of tiny structures could potentially increase homeland security and defense, researchers said.

Glotzer, who researches "bio-mimetic" or "bio-inspired" nano-materials, said her research could eventually create sensors for pathogens and a form of DNA fingerprinting.

"Nanotechnology has impacts in a large number in fields. But it will also affect the chips that go into your computer. It could affect the materials that you wear for clothing," applied physics Prof. Brad Orr said.