Thursday, 6th October 2005 (4222 views)

Gold nanoparticle technology is being used in protein research where other methods have proved inadequate.

In a recent article outlining advances in protein research and its potential benefits, Drug Discovery and Development magazine highlighted the research of Randolph Lewis.

A professor of molecular biology at the University of Wyoming, Mr Lewis is trying to identify prion proteins in chronic wasting disease as found in deer and elk.

He previously failed to detect the prions through other techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), but believes technology provided by Nanosphere could aid him in his quest.

The gold nanoparticle technology provides a greater possibility of finding the prions as it delivers more specific results. It facilitates research because it is based on a DNA detection system capable of being amplified, something already possible in polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) and genomics.

 

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