On April 10 and 11 the National Academy of Sciences' Sackler Colloquium series will hold a colloquium on the development of nanoscale materials that can probe the human body and diagnose medical conditions such as tumors. These "nanoprobes" could help reduce the need for surgery by handling diagnosis and drug delivery on a small scale. At this event researchers will discuss new ways to create functional nanomaterials in biology, challenges involved in bringing these technologies to the consumer, and related societal and ethical concerns.

George Whitesides of Harvard University will deliver a lecture titled "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: A Portrait in Early Adolescence" at 6 p.m. on April 10. A poster session and reception will precede the lecture from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The lecture and reception are free and open to the public; registration and photo ID are required.

DETAILS:
Tuesday, April 10, and Wednesday, April 11, in the National Academies building at 2100 C St., N.W., Washington, D.C. A program, list of speakers, and registration information are available online at www.nasonline.org/Sackler nanoprobes.

REPORTERS WHO WISH TO ATTEND MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE by contacting Susan Marty, Sackler Colloquia, 949-387-2923 or e-mail sackler@nas.edu.