Nanotechnology grant part of bill

June 21, 2006

The University of Illinois is poised to receive a $2 million federal grant for nanotechnology research.

The grant, earmarked for the College of Engineering's Nanomedical Technologies initiative, was included in the Department of Defense's appropriation bill which passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week.

Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, said he is optimistic the Senate will also approve the bill.

"This work by (UI) scientists is leading to advances in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, to new ways to design drugs and detect biohazards and to new ways of thinking about extending the whole field of nanoelectronics to the realm of biology. These UI scientists are leaders in their field and it is a pleasure to work for this funding on their behalf," Johnson said in a statement.

The research will be conducted in the UI's renovated Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory. On the lab's third floor, researchers will focus on bionanotechnology and projects relating to cancer and infectious diseases.

Ilesanmi Adesida, dean of the College of Engineering and director of the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, said the money will help the college not only stay competitive but allow staff to conduct multidisciplinary and novel research in biology and medicine.

UI Chancellor Richard Herman said the grant was "exciting and very welcome news."

"This support will allow Dr. Adesida and his team to play a leading role for the state and the nation in this important field of research," Herman said in a statement.