Researchers Coat Microscopic Objects With Thin Films

Researchers in Australia have coated tiny objects such as bacterial cells with thin films that assemble themselves.

AsianScientist (Jul. 15, 2013) – Researchers in Australia have coated tiny objects such as bacterial cells with thin films that assemble themselves.

Published this week in the journal Science, Professor Frank Caruso and colleagues from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at The University of Melbourne have developed a new strategy to coat microscopic materials with thin films and capsules that can disassemble later.

The research could have important implications for drug delivery in the areas of cancer, vaccines, cardiovascular disease and neural health, as well as other biomedical and environmental applications.

Engineered using natural polyphenols and Fe(III) ions, the capsules are designed to degrade under different conditions, providing opportunities for the timed release of substances contained inside the capsules.

“Nanoengineered capsules are attracting much attention as drug carriers, as they have the potential to improve the delivery and effectiveness of drugs while reducing their side effects,” he said. “Our engineered particle system can be assembled rapidly from naturally occurring materials (minerals and nutrients) with specific physical and chemical properties, making it a versatile platform for various applications.”

The article can be found at: Ejima H et al. (2013) One-Step Assembly of Coordination Complexes for Versatile Film and Particle Engineering.

——

Source: University of Melbourne.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

Asian Scientist Magazine is an award-winning science and technology magazine that highlights R&D news stories from Asia to a global audience. The magazine is published by Singapore-headquartered Wildtype Media Group.

Related Stories from Asian Scientist