Monday, 12th November 2007 (2604 views)

A new technique that coats gold nanoparticles with oligonucleotides to attach targeting molecules to the surface of the metal could be clinically applied to molecular imaging, according to nanotechwire.com.

The development, which was reported in the scientific journal Bioconjugate Chemistry, was made by a team of scientists led by Rebecca Richards-Kortum, PhD.

Ms Kortum's research found that when DNA derivatives containing sulphur were bonded with the surface of gold nanoparticles, then linked to a target.

A contrast agent containing fluorescent markers can also be used to allow for a "signal boost" which can be detected more easily when applying imaging techniques to tumours, the publication reported.

In related gold nanoparticle news, earlier this month saw scientists at the University of Missouri-Columbia develop a technique using soybeans, gold salts and water to develop gold nanoparticles of uniform size.

Gold nanoparticles can be used in the detection and treatment of cancerous tumours and are applied in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic medical tests, nanotechwire.com has reported.

 

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