At least, that’s where nanotechnology is taking us. Everything from nanowires that absorb oils (right image), to nanoscaled biosensors are examples of innovative materials this young branch in science has produced.  In the past two decades, federal funding agencies, as well as private ones have funded billions of dollars in nano-oriented research. Apart from all the beneficial physical properties nanoscaled systems offer, they have had great progress in many biomedical problems humanity faces today. Liposomes (image below) and biodegradable nanoparticles are examples of nanoscaled systems that are already approved for treating certain cancer types and even menopausal sypmptoms!

            The change nanothecnology is making around the world is analogous to the transition of research laboratory and project topics that I am going through right now. Last semester, I did not mention that the story regarding the search for novel antimicrobials in Puerto Rican soil would end, but it did. Now, I am working at the Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering Research Laboratory from UPRM’s Chemical Engineering Department, under the mentorship of Madeline Torres-Lugo, PhD and  Héctor Rodríguez, PhD candidate.  Although this sudden change from Biology to Biomedical Engineering (BME) research is radical and unexpected, I believe that it was necessary. The research project I worked on last summer gave me more than just a taste of BME research. It kindled my passion for research and replenished my strengths to pursue a graduate degree. I thank Dr. Carlos Rios-Velázquez and his extraordinary research team for enriching my knowledge in molecular biology and bacteriology and teaching me the skills and strategies to be successful in more than just the lab bench.

This semester I aim at: learning and developing protocols regarding specific in vitro experiments, improving tissue culture skills, fluorescence and light microscopy data analysis, among others. I will find myself replicating a fellow undergraduate’s experiments at random intervals in order to corroborate my skills and have duplicate sets of data.  In parallel, I will be learning about progress on hyperthermic treatment of cancer cells, given that it will be the focus of the research project I will work on. This semester’s work plan has no relationship with past ones, since they are completely different projects.  However, as the title suggests, these may seem like small steps, but they will contribute equally to the project like the pixels in a bigger, better picture.

For all the information regarding my new research project and progress from this entry henceforth, you may visit my other research blog: http://magcan.wordpress.com/ .