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Wednesday, 26th August 2009 (4827 views)

Carbon nanotubes coated with a thin layer of gold could offer a more efficient, environmentally-friendly and less toxic alternative to nanoparticles used for the targeted molecular detection of cancer cells and bacteria, new research has found.

Dr Vladimir Zharov, a professor at the Winthrop P Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), had previously examined the use of carbon nanotubes for photoacoustic and photothermal detection of normal and abnormal cells, Nanowerk reports.

These methods involve passing laser pulses into nanotubes, which are then converted into heat. As the nanotubes expand, they emit sound waves that can help with the detection of cancerous cells.

However, concerns over the toxicity of carbon nanotubes had held back the research.

Jin-Woo Kim of the University of Arkansas offered a way around this problem by adding a thin layer of gold to the microscopic tubes.

The gold coating cut toxicity while also increasing the absorption of laser pulses, meaning only low concentrations of the nanotubes were needed for "effective diagnostic and therapeutic applications".

Furthermore, the synthesis process was inexpensive, environmentally-friendly and required no chemical or special conditions to complete, the site noted.

Based in Little Rock, the UAMS cancer institute was renamed to commemorate former Arkansas lieutenant governor Winthrop P Rockefeller in 2007 following his death from a rare bone marrow disorder.

 

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