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Wednesday, 12th July 2006 (5815 views)

Technology used to measure the concentration of DNA in a sample using gold nanoparticles has been adapted to measure concentrations of protein.

At present, many heart attack victims are not treated since tests do not show tell-tale high levels of proteins released by dying heart cells, Technology Review reports. The new technique could save lives.

Northwestern University scientist Chad Mirkin developed a method of measuring DNA concentrations using so-called "sticky" substances.

He managed to coat gold nanoparticles with DNA strands that could be bound to complementary target DNA. These particles could also attach to a microarray bearing the complementary DNA and be scanned with a digital camera, revealing the DNA concentration.

Illinois nanotechnology company Nanosphere has now built a device making use of the same method to measure protein levels.

Gold nanoparticles are also an important part of the research for cancer treatments – recent developments include their use in "microbubbles" that could destroy cancer cells.

 

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