Molecular Missiles

From Caltech's Engineering & Science quarterly, an interesting article about a new approach to fighting breast cancer: Molecular Missiles:

A search-and-destroy molecular machine that selectively locks on to cancer cells could make radiation treatments a thing of the past, at least for breast cancers. A team of researchers from Caltech; Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology, in Haifa; and the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles have joined forces to develop a potentially much less traumatic treatment.

The method uses a chemical payload called a gallium corrole, mated to a protein carrier that seeks out a cancer-cell marker. Once it binds to the cell, the protein triggers endocytosis, a process in which the cell engulfs the corrole-carrier combo.

An interesting approach, non-invasive and seemingly very effective. 

Parenthetically I'll note that I can remember receiving Chemistry lectures from Harry Gray thirty years ago.  Dr. Gray always said the best biology was done by chemists :)

Comments

[Vamsi]

Interesting blog. Hope to use your tips and references when I get hands on Aperio. I cant wait for it.

Vamsi