Scientists have discovered a new way to destroy cancer cells.Stimulating aminocyanine molecule When exposed to near-infrared light, they vibrated in sync, enough to destroy the membranes of cancer cells.
Aminocyanine molecules are already used as synthetic dyes in bioimaging. It is commonly used in low doses to detect cancer and is very good at being stable in water and attaching to the outside of cells.
Researchers from Rice University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas say their new approach is a marked improvement over molecular machines that kill other types of cancer. previously developed, It’s called a Ferringa-type motor, and it can also destroy the structure of the offending cell.
“This is a whole new generation of molecular machines that we call molecular jackhammers.” To tell James Tour, a chemist at Rice University.
“These motors are more than a million times faster mechanically than previous Ferringa-type motors and can be operated in near-infrared light rather than visible light.”
The use of near-infrared light is important because it allows scientists to reach deeper inside the body. Cancers of bones and organs may be treated without the need for surgery to stop the cancer from growing.
In tests on cultured cancer cells grown in the lab, the molecular jackhammer method had a 99% success rate in cell destruction. This approach was also tested in mice: melanoma tumorand half of the animals no longer develop cancer.
The structure and chemical properties of the aminocyanine molecule mean that it stays in sync with appropriate stimuli, such as near-infrared radiation. When in motion, the electrons within the molecule form what is called. Plasmoncollectively vibrating entities drive the movement of the entire molecule.
“It’s important to emphasize that we’ve discovered an alternative explanation for how these molecules work.” To tell Ciceron Ayala Orozco, a chemist at Rice University;
“This is the first time that molecular plasmons have been harnessed in this way to excite entire molecules and actually create a mechanical action that is used for a specific purpose, in this case tearing apart the membranes of cancer cells.”
Plasmons have arms on one side that help connect molecules to cancer cell membranes, and their vibrational motion causes them to break apart. Although the research is still in its early stages, these early findings are very promising.
This is also the kind of simple biomechanical technique that cancer cells have difficulty evolving any kind of blockage. Next, researchers are looking at other types of molecules that could be used as well.
“This research is about another way to treat cancer using mechanical force on a molecular scale.” To tell Ayala Orozco.
This research natural chemistry.