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Thursday, 21st May 2009 (1263 views)

Scientists in the US have used nanotechnology to detect, track and destroy cancer cells in real time.

Chief scientist at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's nanotechnology centre Dr Alex Biris has utilised the technology to successfully identify harmful cells and stated that the breakthrough may help to usher in a new generation of cancer treatment techniques.

"We showed that it is possible not only to monitor and detect nanomaterials moving through the circulation, but also to detect single cancer cells tagged with carbon nanotubes," he explained.

Dr Biris was working with Dr Vladimir Zharov, who has previously used laser-activated gold nanoparticles to treat cancer and infections.

He remarked that the breakthrough will "accelerate nanotechnology advances from bench to bedside" and may open the door for treatment of strokes and heart attacks.

Scientists in Australia have also developed a new use for nanotechnology, after discovering that it could be employed to replicate the actions carried out by human cells.

 

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