Scientists Control Tiny Mechanical Probes Inside Human Cells
Source: singularityhub.com
Nanotechnology doesn’t get as much attention these days as genetic and stem cell approaches to medicine, but all three aim to target the causes of illness with greater precision and less collateral damage in the rest of the body than conventional approaches.Nanotech breakthroughs have come more slowly than many had hoped, but a recent success shows progress toward the goal of using tiny nanomachines to repair or destroy only specific diseased cells. But before nanomachines can deliver medicine directly to cells’ door, they have to work properly in a biological environment.Researchers have made an important step in that direction, navigating nanomotors inside living human cells for what they say is the first time.The motors — made from the biocompatible materials gold and ruthenium — are propelled by ultrasound waves scattering off both ends of the rod-shaped devices. The ultrasound source can be turned down to pause the motors, and magnetism crudely controls their direction.[...]Read the full article at: singularityhub.com
