Grade 10 students create nano probes for cancer treatment

Two students in Hung Yen are studying to produce gold-coated nanoparticles, controlling radiation temperatures with lasers to kill cancer cells.

The topic of manufacturing and researching the thermal properties of nano probes to apply to kill cancer cells of Le Hoang Bach and Le Duong Minh (grade 10 Anh 1, high schools specializing in Hung Yen) won the fourth prize in the contest National technical science for high school students in 2017-2018 in the North. The thesis was highly appreciated by Dr. Vu Xuan Hoa, Vice Dean of Department of Physics and Technology (University of Science, Thai Nguyen University) on basic science and applicability.

The idea of ​​researching and manufacturing cancer-treated nanoparticles was formed when Le Hoang Bach saw in the film, nanotechnology was used in medicine and weapons. Curious students, learn the documents about the effects of this technology. I looked to the physics teacher of the high school specializing in Hung Yen, expressed my desire to study using nanoparticles to cure cancer.

From the beginning of the 10th grade school year, Bach and Physics teacher Nguyen Vu Anh Tuyet and classmate Le Duong Minh, began to study. The group made nanoparticles coated with semicircular gold by the method of thermoelectric evaporation, obtaining about 60% of particles. These nanoparticles have magnetic cores and are coated with gold metal so they have both optical and magnetic properties, so they are more efficient than regular nanoparticles.

"The crux of the topic lies in the process of calculating the power, the intensity of laser irradiation on each nanoparticle. With the appropriate laser power and intensity, each nanoparticle can absorb heat and emit suitable to destroy cancer cells without harming other cells, " said leader Hoang Bach.

The principle of the technology is to inject nanoparticles coated with semicircular gold into the patient's body through blood vessels. These nanoparticles, based on the different properties of cancer cells and normal cells, find themselves in cancer cells and implant into tumors. Under the control of a laser beam, the nanoparticle absorbs and then radiates heat to kill malignant cells.

During 4 months of implementing the project, two students were in class 10 to study pre-knowledge of Physics, Chemistry 11, 12, and study scientific literature in English. Children and instructors have to catch cars many times to research centers in Hanoi and Thai Nguyen to carry out experiments, because the facilities in high schools specializing in Hung Yen cannot meet. The specimens are not available in the country, the three girls spend money to send overseas buyers.

"Once, three girls went from 5am to Thai Nguyen University of Science to do a sample experiment. After 4-5 hours of waiting, the experiment failed, she had to do it again in the afternoon. It is not yet satisfactory, she went to the University of Natural Sciences, Hanoi National University to perform other experiments, "Bach said.

Two 10th graders Le Hoang Bach and Le Duong Minh studied nano probes to treat cancer.

In order to apply it in practice, Hoang Bach's group must prove its success when studying on cancer cells under special conditions in the laboratory; Research on cancer cells on living organisms (white mice or rabbits) in laboratories and body experiments under normal conditions. Professor Nguyen Vu Anh Tuyet said, the first step of nanoparticles implanted in cancer cells in the laboratory has had an effect, changing the morphology of malignant cells.

"This is a very difficult topic, an international level that two students in the 10th grade gave such initial results are very welcome, " said a member of the jury of the National Science and Technology Contest.

Dr. Vu Xuan Hoa, Deputy Dean of the Department of Physics and Technology (University of Science, Thai Nguyen University) also highly appreciated the novelty of the study of using thermal optics in a gold nanoparticle to destroy cancer cells. letter. Worldwide, this technology is mainly implemented on many nanoparticles.

Hoping to find safe cancer treatments for more and more patients, two high school students in Hung Yen will continue to study the topic. In the coming time, they will experiment on living organisms (white mice, rabbits) in the laboratory. If successful, the group can go to the last step, which is a test on the body living under normal conditions.