Blenders for tumors

Successfully tested technology that kills cancer in three minutes

Georgy Golovanov, Hi-tech+

An international team of scientists has created efficient molecule-sized motors that safely destroy the shell of cancer cells for surrounding tissues. The new technology has been tested on skin, breast, neck and prostate cancer cells, and has proved extremely effective everywhere.

Scientists from Rice University (USA), North Carolina State University (USA) and Durham University (UK) reported successful activation of motors with two-photon excitation by a near-infrared laser. Unlike the ultraviolet light they used earlier, the new technology does not harm healthy cells adjacent to cancer.

In 2017, the same team developed a molecular motor enhanced with small protein molecules targeting specific cancer cells. After they get into place and are activated by light, the motors begin to rotate at a speed of 3 million times per second, allowing the molecules to drill through the protective membrane of the cell and destroy it, according to a press release from Rice University Chemists build a better cancer-killing drill.

Article by Liu et al. Near-Infrared Light Activates Molecular Nanomachines to Drill into and Kill Cells published in ACS Nano – VM journal.

Since then, scientists have been looking for a way to get rid of dangerous ultraviolet light. The solution was found in the form of two–photon absorption, a phenomenon predicted in 1931 and confirmed 30 years later. Using it, the researchers ensured that the electrons in the motors absorbed photons at two frequencies and moved to a higher energy state, triggering the rotation of the blades.

Such activation is not only better compatible with biological tissues, but also allows deeper penetration into cells and eliminates any undesirable side effects.

Scientists tested the updated motors on skin, breast, neck and prostate cancer cells. As soon as they hit the spot, the lasers activated them with an accuracy of about 200 nm. In most cases, the cells were dead within three minutes. Researchers believe that such drills can penetrate through chromatin and other components of diseased cells, which will slow down metastasis.

In the near future, the authors of the development intend to adapt molecular motors to the destruction of resistant bacteria.

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