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Tuesday, 28th April 2009 (1080 views)

Nanoscale probes constructed using gold can help locate harmful tumours, researchers have found.

A team of scientists at Purdue University have devised a way of producing the small particles, which are manufactured using both gold nanorods and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, Nanowerk News reports.

The precious metal acts as a 'string' to hold the iron oxide particles in place during the tracking process, the news source noted, with leader of the researchers Joseph Irudayaraj stating that the probes "should have the ability" to latch onto a tumour.

He added that the probes "could carry drugs to target, treat, and reveal cancer cells", noting that work is underway to add further anti-cancer agents to the nanoparticles.

In related news, scientists at Imperial College are using gold in a technique that could lead to the development of a new detection method for explosives, the Engineer reports.

 

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