New technology could aid gene therapy
Nanotechnology is the science of working with matter on the molecular level. Although it’s been around for decades, the invention of new microscopes in the 1980s really launched the field forward. A new technology developed by researchers at the Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) in Jena may revolutionize gene therapy.
Image of homodimer in complex with a DNA substrate. (cc) Wikipedia, Richard Wheeler (Zephyris)
NanoCut technology works by having lasers bundle large quantities of energy in an extremely small point. The energy concentrated at this point can eviscerate a material, regardless if it is metal, diamond or even an organic material. In this way, an expert can cut, bore or engrave a substance with the light energy of a laser.
By boring a hole of only a millionth of a millimeter in diameter, the cuts made can be almost 2,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.
The technology was developed by Wolfgang Fritzsche of the IPHT and Karten Koenig from the Saar-Universität. Their innovation has already been named research highlight of 2007 in the magazine “Nature Nanotechnology” and has received praise from the industry journal “Nano Letters”.
Most important to medicine, NanoCut can also work on human cells or even individual chromosomes. Up until now the use of laser technology was limited in its ability because the diameter of a bore hole couldn’t be smaller than 100 nanometers.
The new procedure bundles the laser energy at one point by using small particles called nanoparticles like antennas to catch the light. Extremely short light impulses are enough to energize and warm the particles, allowing them to bore a hole into the material. The size of the hole depends on the size of the nanoparticle, rather than from the wavelength of the laser beam as was previously the case.
Fritzsche notes “We can mark the nanoparticles in such a way that they can be bound to a certain place on a chromosome. This would allow areas of genes that are carrying a genetic defect to be selected and then removed. Fritzsche’s method also has other advantages. He says “We can also work simultaneously and choose different places on the genes where we can attach the nanoparticles. Most importantly, the rest of the chromosome remains completely unchanged by the procedures.”
The scientists are optimistic about the future of the new technology for medicine and beyond.
The gold or silver nanoparticles used by Fritzsche and his team at the IPHT are only a few billionths of a meter in size. The diameter of a human hair is about 50,000 times larger in comparison. Custom-made particles with selected organic properties can be used as sensors and then placed in other living fabrics. This would allow new investigation into biological samples and could also create new gene therapy options for the treatment of tumors or in surgery.
http://www.ipht-jena.de
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