The latest news from academia, regulators
research labs and other things of interest
Posted: May 26, 2008
Plastic packages of enzymes upgrade human cells in lab
(Nanowerk News) Swiss researchers have found that the
The latest news from academia, regulators
research labs and other things of interest
Posted: May 26, 2008
Plastic packages of enzymes upgrade human cells in lab
(Nanowerk News) Swiss researchers have found that the insertion of tiny plastic packages of enzymes in human cells may help upgrade their metabolisms, without having to alter their genes.
Researchers at University of Basel believe that their technique might open the door for advanced cancer treatments, or even upgrade a person's metabolism.
In their study report, the researchers pointed out that the cells of multi-cellular organisms and some advanced single-celled organisms have internal compartments called organelles to carry out specialised metabolic functions.
They revealed that they used artificial polymer organelles in lab experiments to upgrade live human cells.
Lead researcher Wolfgang Meier said that his team coated their polymer vesicles in a chemical, which encouraged human white blood cells called macrophages to engulf them.
He revealed that there were enzymes in the small capsules that produced fluorescent chemicals, through which they signalled that they were working without problems inside their new host.
The researcher also said that the artificial organelle's membrane could be chemically tuned