Releasing reactive oxygen from nanoparticles
Photodynamic therapy is based on the combination of oxygen, light and photosensitiser molecules under the right conditions to generate a short-lived oxygen species called singlet oxygen, which is toxic to cells. Photodynamic therapy normally requires oxygen to be present in the target cells, but cancerous tumours often contain much lower oxygen levels than healthy tissues.
Scientists in Canada have developed a photodynamic therapy system that does not rely on oxygen being present. The researchers anchored anthracene endoperoxide ligands onto the surface of gold nanoparticles. Exposing the nanoparticles to pulsed laser light induced a photothermal effect that produced enough heat to break the endoperoxide bonds and release singlet oxygen.
The scientists are now working on a way to make the nanoparticles water soluble and compatible with cellular conditions for in vitro testing.
Most read news
Original publication
Organizations
Other news from the department science
These products might interest you
NANOPHOX CS by Sympatec
Particle size analysis in the nano range: Analyzing high concentrations with ease
Reliable results without time-consuming sample preparation
Eclipse by Wyatt Technology
FFF-MALS system for separation and characterization of macromolecules and nanoparticles
The latest and most innovative FFF system designed for highest usability, robustness and data quality
DynaPro Plate Reader III by Wyatt Technology
Screening of biopharmaceuticals and proteins with high-throughput dynamic light scattering (DLS)
Efficiently characterize your sample quality and stability from lead discovery to quality control
Get the chemical industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for the chemical industry, analytics, lab technology and process engineering brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.