NanoAnalyzer: An emerging technology to analyse life at the nanoscale

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Researchers at The University of Sheffield (TUoS) are focused on understanding how cells talk to each other. We also investigate how human cells and bacteria interact during infection. We have already shown that cells talk to each other by releasing very small particles (known as nanoparticles), which contain molecules that act as messages. Bacteria and human cells can also communicate in this way. We also study these particles so that we can design artificial nanoparticles, which can carry molecules that can be used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer. To study natural and artificial nanoparticles, we require specialist equipment that allows us to measure the particle size, concentration and molecular messages they contain. However, we do not currently have equipment at TUoS that allows us to achieve this. The aim of this application is to secure funding to purchase a unique instrument called the NanoAnalyzer, which uses lasers to measure the size and number of particles that pass through the machine. The NanoAnalyzer can also detect green and red fluorescent particles, which allows us to tag the molecular messages contained in nanoparticles. Purchasing this instrument is essential to ensure that TUoS remains at the forefront of nanoparticle research.