LinkNotes: Nano Machines and a Nano-GPS System to Combat Cancer

2009-01-18

Nano Machines and a Nano-GPS System to Combat Cancer

Mini-”submarine” will be able to combat cancer within 3 years

The unique invention will not carry curios scientist inside the human body, but will be made out of biological materials and will be able to deliver drugs in order to destroy cancer cells and faulty proteins.

These biological nano-machines can be targeted against a specific kind of cells, their ability to track down leukocytes in mice with ulcerative colitis already having been observed. The “submarine” will use a nano-sized carrier which works like a GPS in order to find the right cells and deliver their charge to them, leaving the healthy tissue untouched. Among the first to work by using this revolutionary idea, the new disease fighter uses a drug based on RNAi, which reprograms cells to function correctly and destroys the ones affected by cancer.

clipped from www.eurekalert.org

A Nano-GPS System

"Our lab is creating biological nano-machines," says Dr. Peer. "These machines can target specific cells. In fact, we can target any protein that might be causing disease or disorder in the human body. This new invention treats the source, not the symptoms."

clipped from www.eurekalert.org

Nanoparticle

clipped from www.nature.com

Figure 1 - Schematic representation of different mechanisms by which nanocarriers can deliver drugs to tumours.

From the following article:

Nanocarriers as an emerging platform for cancer therapy
Dan Peer, Jeffrey M. Karp, Seungpyo Hong, Omid C. Farokhzad, Rimona Margalit & Robert Langer
Nature Nanotechnology 2, 751 - 760 (2007)

clipped from www.tau.ac.il

Dr. Dan Peer

clipped from www.genengnews.com

"We have tapped into the same ancient system the human body uses to protect itself from viruses," says Dr. Peer, who is also investigating a number of topical applications for his medical subs. "And the beauty of it is the basic material of our nano-carriers is natural," he says.

The Tel Aviv University team plans to launch their medical submarines, following FDA regulations, within three to five years. Their immediate focus is on blood, pancreatic, breast and brain cancers.

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2009-01-18

Nano Machines and a Nano-GPS System to Combat Cancer

Mini-”submarine” will be able to combat cancer within 3 years

Nanoparticle

Figure 1 - Schematic representation of different mechanisms by which nanocarriers can deliver drugs to tumours.