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The potential risks surrounding nanotechnology can often appear complex and confusing. But with some basic guideposts, argues Andrew D. Maynard, navigating them can become a little easier.
Increasing globalization means that traditional occupational epidemiological approaches may no longer apply, suggesting a need for an alternative model to assess the long-term impact of nanomaterial exposure on health.
Sophisticated nanopores, which utilize electron tunnelling measurements, two-dimensional materials, or concepts from molecular self-assembly, could have applications in DNA and protein sequencing; the technical problems that must be solved to realize such technologies are considerable though.
Sequencing methods based on electron tunnelling could lead to breakthroughs in genomics, proteomics and glycomics, but the engineering challenges involved in delivering these devices are formidable.
Encouraging PhD students to engage with the peer-review process is of benefit to researchers, journals and the rest of the scientific community, says Bryden Le Bailly.