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Thursday, 28th May 2009 (1155 views)

A grant totalling around $1.5 million (£941,000) has been issued to US researchers using nanotechnology and gold to attempt to diagnose cancer at a very early stage.

The money is being given to researchers at the Phillips Classic Laser and Nanomedicine Laboratories at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences over a five-year period and will fund research into stopping the disease before it begins to spread.

Work being carried out at the centre builds on previous research into a technique that allows for the identification and counting of a wide range of cell types.

A team led by Vladimir Zharov will now determine whether or not this system is effective enough on its own or if gold nanoparticles should be added to the treatment method.

"To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first clinical application of nanomedicine-based technology for non-invasive detection of circulating tumour cells," Mr Zharov said.

Mr Zahrov has previously carried out research into the feasibility of using laser-activated gold nanoparticles to treat cancer tumours.

 

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