Fluorescent nanoparticles loaded with organic light-emitting dyes are expected to transform live-animal imaging technologies. Compared to inorganic quantum dots, these optically stable materials are non-toxic and can easily be modified with functional groups, making them ideal when targeting specific tissues in the body. Unfortunately, traditional dyes have been known to aggregate and lose their emission intensity when incorporated in nanoparticles at high concentration.

written by Journal of Nanomedicine and Biotherapeutic Discovery

Scientists have made amazing progress in the last two decades in seeing and manipulating materials at the nanoscale. New generation microscopes enable researchers to explore the morphology of nanoscale objects, such as nanoparticles, single molecules and atoms, in their natural environment. Despite the technological advances, however, there are still major hurdles to overcome in measuring the mechanical, chemical, electrical and thermal properties that make each object unique. This is crucial, because only by understanding these properties can we distinguish and monitor nano-objects of similar shapes but different chemical species and, when it comes to biological complexes, study how they function and discover the crucial roles they play in the body.

written by Journal of Nanomedicine and Biotherapeutic Discovery

Currently, large doses of chemotherapy are required when treating certain forms of cancer, resulting in toxic side effects. The chemicals enter the body and work to destroy or shrink the tumor, but also harm vital organs and drastically affect bodily functions. Now, University of Missouri scientists have found a more efficient way of targeting prostate tumors by using gold nanoparticles and a compound found in tea leaves. This new treatment would require doses that are thousands of times smaller than chemotherapy and do not travel through the body inflicting damage to healthy areas.

written by Journal of Nanomedicine and Biotherapeutic Discovery