Context:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) scientists have developed a new approach using hybrid nanoparticles to potentially detect and kill cancer cells, especially those which form a solid tumour mass.
About Hybrid Nanoparticles:
- Creation of hybrid nanoparticles –
- By combining gold and copper sulphide nanoparticles.
- Method – Novel reduction method (Deposit tiny seeds of gold onto the copper sulphide surface)
- Why to choose Copper sulphide and Gold nanoparticles?
- Copper sulphide nanoparticles have previously received attention for their application in cancer diagnosis.
- Gold nanoparticles can be chemically modified to target cancer cells and have shown anticancer effects.
- Properties –
- Photothermal property: When light is shined on these hybrid nanoparticles, they absorb the light and generate heat, which can kill cancer cells.
- Oxidative stress: They produce singlet oxygen atoms (Reactive Oxygen Species) that are toxic to the cancer cells.
- Photoacoustic property: It allows them to absorb light and generate ultrasound waves, which provides for better resolution during the MRI and CT scanning process.
- Significance: Small size would also allow them to leave the human body naturally without accumulating.
Nanohybrids usually of less than 8 nm in size, are made by combining at least two different nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are materials having sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nm (1nm is equal to 10-9m).
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to polyethylene terephthalate, the use of which is so widespread in our daily lives, consider the following statements:
1. Its fibres can be blended with wool and cotton fibres to reinforce their properties.
2. Containers made of it can be used to store any alcoholic beverage.
3. Bottles made of it can be recycled into other products.
4. Articles made of it can be easily disposed of by incineration without causing greenhouse gas emissions.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
