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Friday, 19th December 2008 (1808 views)

Gold coated nanowires could soon be used to combat cancerous cells following new research from the University of Idaho.

Scientists at the US institution are engineering gold nanowires that will be able to swim through the bloodstream towards cancer cells.

After arriving at their target destination, an electromagnetic field heats up the nanowires and the cancerous cells are destroyed.

Associate professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Idaho Daniel Choi highlighted the importance of the research.

"Cancer is a dangerous enemy because radiation and chemical treatments cause a lot of side effects," he said.

Mr Choi stated that this technique will help minimise the damage to healthy cells.

The research is part of the International Global Collaboration Pioneer Programme and is supported by a $425,000 (£284,403) grant from the Korean government.

Meanwhile, a team from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology have developed a faster way to create gold-bearing nanotubes.

 

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