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Tuesday, 3rd February 2009 (5607 views)

Gold is being used in the development of a new form of cancer treatment, it has emerged.

According to Nanowerk, scientists have used the precious metal in the creation of nanospheres, which are used to detect and penetrate melanoma cells that can then be destroyed with the use of infrared light.

The research, which has been conducted by scientists at the University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Centre, is a step closer to cancer treatment, Chun Li of the centre's department of experimental diagnostic imaging told the news source.

"Active targeting of nanoparticles to tumours is the holy grail of therapeutic nanotechnology for cancer. We're getting closer to that goal," she explained, noting that the hollow gold nanospheres were eight times more effective in damaging melanoma tumours in mice than their less direct equivalents.

Earlier today the government reaffirmed its commitment to nanotechnology, announcing that it aims to improve the prioritisation of research in the area.

 

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