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Thursday, 10th December 2009 (3666 views)

Gold nanorods, spheres and nanoshells will be used in a new, two-year study to examine and catalogue how nanoparticles of different sizes interact with cells.

Scientists at Rice University in Texas will carry out the research, which is supported with a $3 million (£1.84 million) Grand Opportunity (GO) grant from the National Institutes of Health, AZo Nano reports.

Nanoparticles made from gold and other materials are increasingly being used to develop new diagnostic systems, imaging aids and treatments for disease such as cancer.

Rice bioengineer researcher Professor Jennifer West said differences in particle size can have "profound" effects on how they move within a cell.

The research project will compare eight classes of nanoparticle, including gold rods and gold-coated glass particles, from 11 laboratories to create a database that will help researchers predict the responses of particles based on their size, type and chemistry.

"We need to know where they go and how they behave so we can design the right particle for a particular job," said Rice GO grant investigator Professor Junghae Suh.

Ultimately, the database could help to speed up the development of new treatments incorporating nanoparticles.

 

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