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Researchers at the University of Notre Dame, led by Professor Bradley Smith, have developed a low-cost method to enhance drug effectiveness by using thermally-modified silica particles. Published in the journal Nanoscale, their discovery involves altering silica’s structure at relatively low temperatures, allowing the particles to retain and control the release of chemicals effectively. This finding came about when doctoral students Canjia Zhai and Cassandra Shaffer accidentally modified the silica particles while using a blue dye for tumor detection in mice.
The modified particles, resembling hollow raspberries, have demonstrated the ability to load a cancer drug while maintaining its effectiveness against cancer cells. This opens avenues for creating improved versions of amine-containing drugs, potentially increasing their effectiveness and reducing side effects. Moreover, the researchers found that by adjusting the loading process, they could control the particles’ thickness, allowing for varying drug release rates and the possibility of dual-loading different substances, such as a drug and a dye, for better drug observation.
Additionally, the work sheds light on biomineralization processes, suggesting similarities to how natural organisms, like diatoms, remodel silica at low temperatures. Smith emphasizes the potential for future innovations inspired by both natural processes and laboratory discoveries.
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