Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Leeds are working to develop nano biomedical technologies in line with photothermal light to target the killing of mesothelioma and other cancers cells, while causing minimal damage to normal tissues.

Researchers have developed gold nanotubes – tiny hollow cylinders one thousandth of the width of a human hair – that can absorb differing wavelengths of laser light which heats the tubes and kills the cancer cells. Researchers found that when the nanotubes were added to mesothelioma cells, the cells absorbed them, and they congregated near the cell’s nucleus. When exposed to the laser light the mesothelioma cells resulted in necrosis.

Researchers continue to make further advances in the engineering of nanomaterials to treat a widening range of medical conditions.

You can read the full study here.