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Friday, 13th April 2007 (4697 views)

Gold nanoparticles are being developed by Australasian scientists to target infectious diseases and pathogens.

Scientists at the Queensland University's Centre for Nanotechnology and Biomaterials have been using gold nanoparticles shaped like rods that are so small that a single bacteria appears massive in comparison.

"We use a gold nanoparticle as a kind of foundation and put other things on top of it that help the particle attach to a particular target disease organism - then you can do something after that, such as see the organism or destroy it," explained Professor Matt Trau from the centre.

Because the gold is so good as absorbing light, it is easily used for active targeting where antibodies attracted to the gold are inserted into patients' bodies and targeted towards the diseases.

The gold is then heated up quickly so it perforates the wall of the targeted disease cell and can kill it.

Alternatively the gold nanoparticles can be used to administer drugs into patients.

 

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