The University of Southampton scientists have fabricated new nanomaterials, which are capable of stopping the blood flow to cancerous cells.
A schematic illustration of different types of gold nanoparticles used in the experiments.
Dr Antonios Kanaras with a team of researchers has found that gold nanoparticles, in tiny doses, can stimulate or hinder genes responsible for angiogenesis. As a result, nutrients and oxygen supply to various types of cancer can be stopped.
Dr Kanaras stated that the gold nanoparticles synthesized with peptide function are capable of activating or hindering angiogenic genes. The team used a laser illumination to manage the intensity of damage done to the endothelial cells, which are essential for developing the interior walls of blood vessels and also play a critical role in angiogenesis. The researchers also discovered that the gold nanoparticles could be effective even in cellular nanosurgery.
Dr Kanaras mentioned that gold nanoparticles will serve a dual purpose in manipulation of cells. Scientists applied laser irradiation to direct the nanoparticles to cause damage to endothelial cells, to stop the blood flow to tumors, or to purposely open the cellular membrane to ensure efficient drug transportation. The researchers are planning to develop a full nanotechnology toolkit to control angiogenesis.