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A new, cutting-edge nanoscience institute in Dublin could revolutionise the treatment of life-threatening diseases.

A new, cutting-edge nanoscience institute in Dublin could revolutionise the treatment of life-threatening diseases. The Naughton Institute houses Ireland's first purpose-built nanoscience research institute, the Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN).

Nanoscience is an exciting new area of science which involves the study of extremely small objects. A nanometre is a million times smaller than a millimetre and nanoscience studies objects which are less than 100 nanometres in size - that's many thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair.

Groundbreaking research

Trinity College has recognised that nanoscience has the potential to change our lives in unforeseeable ways in the coming decades, and CRANN is at the forefront of research and innovation in this area.

The Naughton Institute, which cost €100million, is a state-of-the-art facility which is environmentally controlled and vibration-free. Some 150 researchers in CRANN are working on groundbreaking research which might lead to revolutionary development in the technology and healthcare sectors.

This includes new medical treatments, new materials and ways of manufacturing products.

In the health area, nanoscience research could radically improve patient care by developing improved methods of identification and diagnosis for cancer and disease.

The way medical drugs work could also be revolutionised - they could be designed to be delivered to certain parts of the body.

New products

Nanotechnology is already used in cosmetics and sunscreens. In the future, nanoparticles could be used to make implants such as hip replacements and heart valves, which are lightweight but long-lasting.

CRANN brings together researchers from Ireland and around the world. They will work in partnership with teams from Ireland's universities as well as leading local and multinational companies. The centre is funded by Science Foundation Ireland.

You can visit the CRANN website here - http://www.crann.tcd.ie/index