Use nanotechnology to speed up drug testing

A team of scientists led by Associate Professor Swadeshmukul Santra, who works at the University of Central Florida, has created quantum dots (Qdots) that will "glow" (integrated probe) exposed to cancer cells.

The results of this study will be published online this month in the journal Biomaterials .

Researchers have created probes from semiconductor quantum dots , because of the small size and crystal structure that semiconductor Qdots have. Full of optical and electronic properties when excited. It is these characteristic properties that semiconductor quantum dots (Qdots) will provide solid and reliable images in special lighting conditions.

Associate Professor Swadeshmukul Santra

The team may use a microscope to determine where and how much dosage has been delivered, because the probe (with optical and magnetic components) will emit light. Red light in special light conditions or under the effect of MRI (magnetic resonance).

During drug testing, the obtained images may lie overlapping without any loss of optical signals or MRI (magnetic resonance). Researchers can easily measure the size of the tumor and the number of cancerous "glow" cancer cells compared to the tumor index (untreated).

The results of this study provide new ways to identify and evaluate the effects of specific drugs on specific targets. This technique is easier to perform compared to current procedures used to remove cancerous tumors, as well as shorter time to determine the effect of drugs on the animal.

This study was funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.