Nanomagnets Remove Pathogens from Blood
Summary posted by Meridian on 7/28/2010
Source: Nanowerk
Author: Michael Berger
Researchers from the Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering of the ETH Zurich, Switzerland, have demonstrated a novel use of nanomagnets to rapidly and selectively remove heavy metal ions, overdosed steroid drugs and proteins from human blood. Conventional blood purification methods, such as dialysis and plasma filtration/exchange, can be hampered by filter cut offs or slow pore diffusion through membranes. The nanomagnet method avoids fouling of filter membranes and has a high external surface area, both of which result in a correspondingly fast diffusion. According to Wendelin Stark, an associate professor, "[B]y using magnetic metal nanomagnets carrying target-specific ligands, we showed that blood purification at a nano- to pico-molar scale is possible. Toxins or pathogens can be selectively removed from whole blood within minutes." The team used carbon-coated iron carbide nanomagnets that were functionalized by pairing them with linker molecules and selective capturing moieties such as antibodies. The new method can remove a wide range of substances and offers the potential to remove compounds very different in mass and size simultaneously. Their findings were published in the journal Small. The article can be viewed online at the link below.
The original article may still be available at www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=17353.php
As tagged by Meridian Institute:
Health And Medical:
Devices, Diseases
Implications:
Human Enhancement, Governance, Economic Competitiveness
Nanomaterials:
Metal Nanoparticle
Regions:
Europe
Stakeholders:
Government, Academia
Minerals And Metals:
Metals
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