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Tuesday, 5th May 2009 (1207 views)

Gold nanorods could be used to destroy harmful tumours while minimising the side-effects on the human body, researchers have suggested.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have used the precious metal to form particles that can locate and eliminate tumours with the aid of near-infrared light without damaging healthy tissue, Nanowerk News reports.

Geoffrey von Maltzahn, graduate student at MIT explained that the nanorods could also be used to diagnose cancer.

"This class of particles provides the most efficient method of specifically depositing energy in tumours," he was quoted as saying, adding that the method is more effective than the chemotherapy treatment techniques that are currently in use.

Similar research is also being carried out at the University of California, San Diego, where researchers have developed biodegradable fluorescent nanoparticles that could be used to identify the location of tumours without the possibility of damaging the subject.

 

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