The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Wednesday, 20th May 2009 (1193 views)

Nanotechnology could be used to develop synthetic systems that can replicate the tasks carried out by human cells, researchers in Australia have revealed.

A team of scientists at the University of Melbourne have used nanotechnology - in which gold often plays a key role - to produce a microcontainer that can hold thousands of individual capsosomes - tiny polymer capsules that carry medicine.

These can then be introduced into the human body to release medication and other substances in a method similar to that used by human cells.

"Because the capsosomes are biodegradable and nontoxic … they would also be suitable for use as resorbable synthetic cell organelles and for the transport of drugs," senior researcher at the university Brigitte Staedler explained.

In related news today, scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine have used nanotechnology to develop a way of delivering antibiotics through the use of aerosols, rather than in the traditional capsule format.

 

« Back to Gold News stories