Nanoparticles’ Nuclear Handshake Imaged

Nanoscale interactions between cancer cell nuclei and drug-loaded nanoparticles can be imaged directly by an analytical method that may provide insights that advance nucleus-targeted cancer therapies, a Northwestern University team reported. The work may also lead to new nanoparticle-based drug delivery strategies to treat other diseases. Numerous studies have shown that nanoparticles can serve as drug delivery vehicles, imaging contrast probes, and therapeutic agents. The new work, which was conducted by Duncan Hieu M. Dam, Jung Heon Lee, Teri W. Odom, and coworkers, demonstrates that nano­particles can also be used to target, alter, and image cancer cell nuclei (ACS Nano, DOI: 10.1021/nn300296p). The researchers prepared gold nano­stars hybridized with a DNA fragment that binds specifically to a cell-nucleus protein known as nucleolin. By using a microscopy method, they showed that the nucleus-seeking particles readily migrate to cell nuclei and penetrate the nuclear envelope, causing deep, intruding folds into the nucleoplasm. They found that these morphology changes were intensified by light-triggered release of the the DNA fragment from the nanoparticles. They also showed that the intensity of these changes correlates with increases in cellular suicide and decreased cell viability.

C&EN Covers The ACS National Meeting

Want the scoop on the ACS meeting in San Diego? Check out C&EN Picks, a series of videos that spotlight sessions selected by C&EN staff. Reporters also fan out across the meeting to bring you news coverage. Find it all collected at C&EN's meeting page, cenatacs.tumblr.com.