Cancer Killing Nanoparticles

  

 Following the nanoparticle theme of the second half of the semester i came upon a 17 year old who developed the "Swiss Army Knife" of cancer treatment. Angela Zhang submitted a project which she has been working on for the past 2 years to the Siemens competition in math and science technology.

Her creation is a nanoparticle which can be delivered to tumor sites through the use of drugs. Upon arrival at the tumor, the particle focuses and kills cancer stem cells. Due to the inclusion of gold and ion components in her design, the eradication of these cancer cells can me monitored in real time through MRI and Photoacoustic technology. Zhang's project was officially called the design of image-guided, Photo-thermal controlled Drug Releasing Multifunctional Nanosystem for the Treatment of Cancer Stem Cells and needless to say she not only took first place and the $100,000 grand prize, but also the eyes of many research facilities in the nation. 

This research shows that students at every age level have the potential to formulate advanced ideas and unique solutions to tired and tried problems. Hopefully Angela can one day see her research fabricated in reality and used to noninvasively cure may cancer patients.

Original link here