Monday, 30th June 2008 (1255 views)

Researchers in Dublin and Ann Arbor have developed a new method to check the toxicity of nanoparticles.

As part of the research, Nicholas Kotov at the University of Michigan and partners from Trinity College bathed nerve and liver cells in liquid in either gold nanoparticles or cadmium telluride quantum dots.

By using special dyes, the cells were then studied under an automated fluorescence microscope to discover if they had died or if important proteins were present which would indicate a healthy cell.

During early tests, gold nanoparticles kept cells from multiplying or absorbing calcium and it was discovered that coating the gold nanoparticles in gelatin made them less toxic.

Cells that were bathed in cadmium telluride quantum dots were found to have killed themselves.

However, the study suggested that if these quantum dots can be made less toxic they could potentially be used for medical imaging.

The research may mean in the future the test could help find new nanoparticles that can kill cancer cells.

Earlier this month, research found gold nanoparticles may help in creation of HIV drugs, according to Scientific American.

 

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