The New Scientist reports on the efforts of Andre Godin and Prof Jennfier West at Rice University who have used gold nanospheres for both cancer treatment and imaging mechanisms. The gold-coated silica nanospheres are injected into the bloodstream and then accumulate at tumour sites where the blood vessels are leakier. The tumour site is illuminated with an infrared laser, which creates a process that causes heat and kills the cells surrounding the nanopsheres. The team has now also enabled the nanospheres to scatter some of the infrared light, allowing the spheres to also act as an imaging agent and saving a trip to the MRI. One particle “detects and destroys” tumours, saving further drug delivery and treatment length.
- 26/06/2007 -
Post a Comment