Zhang and his team have discovered that nanoparticles produced by A. oligospora hold promise for stimulating the immune system and killing tumors.
Zhang commonly looks to nature for solutions to the world's challenges.
They discovered the fungus secretes nanocomposites consisting of highly uniform nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are tiny particles that have been shown to be important in cancer therapies. Among other properties, their small size allows them to easily cross cell membranes, an essential requirement for cancer therapy.
"This study could be the entrance into a gold mine of new materials to treat cancers," said Zhang. "Understanding how these nanostructures are formed in the natural systems will also provide templates for the synthesis of a future generation of engineered nanostructures for biomedical applications."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121204111820.htm
Zhang commonly looks to nature for solutions to the world's challenges.
They discovered the fungus secretes nanocomposites consisting of highly uniform nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are tiny particles that have been shown to be important in cancer therapies. Among other properties, their small size allows them to easily cross cell membranes, an essential requirement for cancer therapy.
"This study could be the entrance into a gold mine of new materials to treat cancers," said Zhang. "Understanding how these nanostructures are formed in the natural systems will also provide templates for the synthesis of a future generation of engineered nanostructures for biomedical applications."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121204111820.htm
