Kill cancer cells by shining light on gold-paired nanocrystals

Nanoparticles (primitive genes) are very sensitive to light and the smallest amount of light can also make this nanoparticle (primitive gene) hot, this characteristic, which these nanoparticles (primitive genes) used in cancer therapy, through which light energy is converted into thermal energy to kill cancer cells without causing side effects.

Researcher Mingyong Han, who works at A * STAR Research Institute of Materials and Engineering, and colleagues: has made nanocrystals (prototypal) gold pairs , especially effective in removing the cells. Lung cancer cells in humans. In short, metal nanostructures have a specific frequency at which light excites electrons close to their surface. Through the resonance process (the movement of electrons), it converts light energy into thermal energy. That resonance process depends very much on the size and shape of the gold nanocrystals (primitive genes).

In biomedical applications, nanocrystal particle structures must work effectively (regardless of the direction of the light coming). In addition, nanoparticle structure must absorb infrared wavelengths well (near to the middle) because tissue is almost transparent to these wavelengths of light.

Scientists fabricate "nanocrystals (primordial genes)" in gold by: adding small amounts of copper ions, in order to create a combination of the gold crystal structure (primitive gene) of gold pair and led to the development of gold cross structures around nanocrystals. "Unique golden cross structures allow omnidirectional stimulation to achieve a strong resonance (of electrons) in the near and mid-infrared region. This characteristic has helped to reduce the including the amount of laser energy needed for the thermal treatment of cancer, when compared to using pure nanorods , " Han said.

When irradiation is close to infrared laser light (4.2W / cm ² for 30 seconds): all human lung cancer cells have been killed. In the future, the researchers will test the effect of " golden nanocrystals (primitive genes)" on animal models.

"Gold nanocrystals (primitive genes) can also be used to disinfect surfaces, kill viruses on biofilms," Han added.