Why is it in the news?

• Recently, the Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a novel approach to detect and kill cancer cells, especially those forming solid tumour masses.

More about the study

• They created hybrid nanoparticles composed of gold and copper sulphide with photothermal, oxidative stress, and photoacoustic properties.
  • These nanoparticles can absorb light and generate heat, effectively killing cancer cells, while also producing toxic singlet oxygen atoms for added cell damage.
• The nanoparticles have potential for cancer diagnosis as well.
  • Their photoacoustic property allows them to absorb light and generate ultrasound waves for high-contrast cancer cell detection.
• The nanoparticles can be integrated with existing detection or treatment systems, such as endoscopes used for cancer screening.
• To create small, tissue-penetrating nanoparticles, the researchers used a unique reduction method to deposit tiny gold seeds onto copper sulphide surfaces.
• These hybrid nanoparticles are less than 8 nm in size, making them potentially suitable for traveling inside tissues and reaching tumours.