Jul 05, 2011 |
Gold nanoparticles bring scientists closer to a treatment for cancer
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(Nanowerk News) Scientists at the University of Southampton have developed smart nanomaterials, which can disrupt the blood supply to cancerous tumours.
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The team of researchers, led by Physics lecturer Dr Antonios Kanaras, showed that a small dose of gold nanoparticles can activate or inhibit genes that are involved in angiogenesis - a complex process responsible for the supply of oxygen and nutrients to most types of cancer.
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A schematic illustration of different types of gold nanoparticles used in the experiments. NR is gold nanorods, HG is hollow gold nanoparticles, SP is spherical gold nanoparticles and CS is core-shell silica-gold nanoparticles.
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"The peptide-functionalised gold nanoparticles that we synthesised are very effective in the deliberate activation or inhibition of angiogenic genes," said Dr Kanaras.
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The team went a step further to control the degree of damage to the endothelial cells using laser illumination. Endothelial cells construct the interior of blood vessels and play a pivotal role in angiogenesis.
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The researchers also found that the gold particles could be used as effective tools in cellular nanosurgery.
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"We have found that gold nanoparticles can have a dual role in cellular manipulation. Applying laser irradiation, we can use the nanoparticles either to destroy endothelial cells, as a measure to cut the blood supply to tumours, or to deliberately open up the cellular membrane in order to deliver a drug efficiently," said Dr Kanaras.
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The researchers are almost midway through their research and have published two related papers (NanoLett. 2011, 11 (3), 1358–1363 , Small 2011, 7, No. 3, 388–394) with another one submitted for publication and four more planned throughout this year. Their major target is to develop a complete nanotechnology toolkit to manipulate angiogenesis. To make this a reality within five to ten years they continue to seek funding.
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