Protein-Coated Nanowires Developed for Drug Delivery

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ePT--the Electronic Newsletter of Pharmaceutical Technology

A team of researchers from the University of Idaho and Seoul National University have designed a potential drug delivery system by coating silica nanowires with the protein fibronectin.

Moscow, ID (Sept. 4)-A team of researchers from the University of Idaho and Seoul National University have designed a potential drug delivery system by coating silica nanowires with the protein fibronectin. Their study found that the protein coating enabled the nanowires to enter cultured human cells and deliver a lethal dose of toxin (called StxA1).

The nanowires reportedly could be coated with antibodies or other materials to deliver low doses of drug to targeted cells without compromising healthy cells.

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The study is scheduled for publication in the Sept. 12 issue of Nano Letters by the American Chemical Society.