Medical

Destroying cancer cells with exploding gold nanoparticles

Destroying cancer cells with exploding gold nanoparticles
Controlled release and intracellular delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agent into the cells
Controlled release and intracellular delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agent into the cells
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Interaction of plasmonic nanobubbles with living cells and tissue
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Interaction of plasmonic nanobubbles with living cells and tissue
Controlled release and intracellular delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agent into the cells
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Controlled release and intracellular delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agent into the cells

One of the most promising applications in the emerging field of nanomedicine is cancer treatment. The ability to target individual cells provides safer and more effective treatment than current approaches like chemotherapy in which healthy cells become collateral damage in the effort to knock out cancerous tumors. This potential has again been demonstrated by scientists at Rice University who have developed a way to "blow up" individual diseased cells using lasers and gold nanoparticles.

"Single-cell targeting is one of the most touted advantages of nanomedicine, and our approach delivers on that promise with a localized effect inside an individual cell," said Rice physicist Dmitri Lapotko, the lead researcher on the project. "The idea is to spot and treat unhealthy cells early, before a disease progresses to the point of making people extremely ill."

The technique involves making "nanobubbles" by zapping gold nanoparticles inside cells with lasers. Being visible under a microscope, these bright bubbles can be used to diagnose sick cells or, when the power of the laser is increased, destroy the cells.

"The bubbles work like a jackhammer," Lapotko said.

In 2009 the approach was tested on arterial plaque. Gold nanoparticles were sprayed on the plaque and using a laser, researchers were able to blast through the deposits that block arteries (see video below).

The current study is looking at leukemia cells and cells from head and neck cancers. In this research antibodies have been attached to the nanoparticles so they target only the cancer cells.

The research resulted from collaboration between Rice and the Lykov Institute of the Academy of Science of Belarus, which recently established the US-Belarus Research Lab of Fundamental and Biomedical Nanophotonics.

2 comments
2 comments
rbisys
There is already a safe non invasive way to destroy cancer cells. It\'s been available for about 70 years. It\'s called Rife technology. Engine search, rife.org. A documentary DVD is available thru zerotwo.org that outlines the development and suppression from the ama and others.
The FDA recently went to great lengths to kangaroo Jim Folsom who was making rife equipment because it interferes with the medical and pharmacy profits and puts the individual in control.
Also why give money for research when this technology is already available?
I have also noticed that my bookmarked pages for certain rife website keep dropping off my favorites lists. This is also true for some altern\' energy sites too. Conspiracy?
Rita Gacon
Lots of forward thinking and life saving, pain saving ideas on this site. and many other specialties. I will keep reading.