Scientists use virus to advance nanotechnology

Scientists have found a way to allow for more effective use of Quantum Dots (Qdots) in cancer cells by overcoming a common hurdle using Sendai virus. Qdots are small fluorescent particles, 1,000 times smaller than a cell, that latch onto biological molecules, such as antibodies. They allow for the tracking of antibodies in a cell and the protein it recognizes, which can help in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Researchers have developed a technique that uses the Sendai virus to coat the Qdot. This tricks brain cancer cells, which often excrete Qdots as waste, into accepting them. “While cells have complex defense mechanisms to protect themselves against attack, viruses have evolved ways to fool the cell into letting them in. We were able to exploit these mechanisms by fusing inactivated mouse parainfluenza virus with liposomes containing Qdots,” explained Maribel Vazquez, who worked on the study.