Ian Kennedy

Date: May 12, 2008

Nanoscale Metal Oxides: Applications as Biosensors and their Health Effects

Metal oxide nanoparticles are everywhere. Today, these nanoparticles are finding wide application in emerging nanotechnologies. Dr. Ian Kennedy's group developed lanthanide oxide nanoparticles for application as platforms for sensitive bio-assays (e.g., immunoassays, DNA assays). Particles that include a magnetic core, along with a luminescent shell, have been used as platforms for sensing pesticides, toxins in food, microbial DNA in bioremediation sites, and for application in biomedical diagnostics for disease. His current research explores the application of new fomats, in addition to the potential health effects of metal oxide nanoparticles with in vitro studies using the human aortic endothelial cells and the human lung epithelial cells.

In 1986, Dr. Kennedy joined the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of California-Davis. Since then, he has developed a major aerosol research facility on campus, in which his research is directed toward the varied problems related to ultrafine particle synthesis and applications in technology. Dr. Kennedy and his team focus their efforts on understanding the impact of ultrafine aerosol particles on human health.

^*This work was made possible by grant number P42-ES04699 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIEHS, NIH.

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