Friday, 9th February 2007 (4258 views)

Using gold nanoparticles to concentrate laser beams can enable scientists to construct nano holes more accurately, according to new research from Germany.

The technique, using biomolecular labels on the particles, allows much more accurate hole-burning, meaning highly localised damage in human DNA can be targeted.

Scientists at the Institute for Physical High Technology in Jena (IPHTJ) have explained that the general principle of heating gold nanoparticles to produce holes is well known, however, advances made by experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and others mean that the particles are used as 'antennas' for gentler and more accurate heating of double-stranded DNA.

This allows a concentrated focus on specific targets and IPHTJ scientists have managed to use this technique on single-strand DNA as well, even when using more pronounced heating.

By utilising the gold nanoparticles with single-strand DNA tags, the scientists were able to use near-infrared light, which is able to penetrate biological tissue easier, to heat the particles and burn holes in the chromosomes.

The technique continues to hold great potential for biological studies as well as technological advancements, as the targeting of specific chromosomes can burn away cancerous areas.

 

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