Carbon Nanotubes Light up Cancerous Cells

Researcher have found a new bioindicator for cancer-causing molecules, based on their interactions with DNA. A team lead by Michael Strano of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, has developed a type of nanoparticle, called carbon nanotubes, coated with DNA that, when injected into the body, interact with targeted molecules and fluoresce in the near-infrared range of the spectrum.

The method, published in December 2008 in Nature Nanotechnology, describes validation ex-situ using six genotoxic analytes (either drugs or reactive oxygen species). They also describe the uptake and activity of the carbon nanotubes in live 3T3 cells.

According to interviewers, Strano considers the nanoparticles safe because they are coated with DNA. Does this mean they presume the particles won't cause cancer themselves by interfering with the DNA double helix of the cellular genome? The safety of nanoparticles is a subject of increasing importance to toxicologists and regulators. In fact, the publication by Strano et al. came out barely one month after headlines by Reuters screamed of an "urgent" need for nanomaterials regulation.

_Sources:

Steenhuysen, J. Nanotech sensor detects toxins in living cells. Reuters, Monday December 15, 2008.

Kahn, M. Urgent regulation needed for nanomaterials: experts. Reuters, Wednesday November 12, 2008

Heller et al. Multimodal optical sensing and analyte specificity using single-walled carbon nanotubes. Nature Nanotechnology, doi: 10.1038/nnano.2008.369.