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Monday, 20th July 2009 (1199 views)

Gold nanoparticles could be heated by lasers to literally burn up cancer cells, an award-winning researcher has said.

Romain Quidant of the Institute of Photonic Sciences is one of the top researchers in the field of plasmonic oncology - a strategy that could "revolutionise" cancer treatment, Vitalis News reports.

The "groundbreaking" research aims to develop nanoparticles coated with molecules that detect cancer cells. Once inside these cells, the microscopic structures are targeted with lasers until they heat up and eventually destroy the tumour cell.

Unlike radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the treatment would leave healthy tissue unaffected.

Professor Quidant's team is also looking at using gold nanoparticles to detect cancer markers in the early stages of the disease to improve detection rates.

His team has previously developed a prototype nanosensor for detecting banned doping substances such as steroids, the site noted.

Professor Quidant recently received the Fresnel Prize, which is given each year to recognise excellence among emerging researchers in the field of photonics.

 

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