Credit:
Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)
The
enzymes responsible for catalytic reactions in our body's biological reactions
are difficult to use for diagnosis or treatment as they react only to certain
molecules or have low stability. Many researchers anticipate that if these
issues are ameliorated or if artificial catalysts are developed to create a
synergetic effect by meeting the enzymes in the body, there will be new ways to
diagnose and treat diseases. In particular, if artificial catalysts that
respond to external stimuli such as magnetic fields are developed, new treatment
methods that remotely control bioreactions from outside the body can become a
reality.
The
research team led by Professor In Su Lee of the Department of Chemistry at
POSTECH has developed a remote magnetic-sensitive artificial catalyst called
MAG-NER, which shows high catalytic efficiency within living cells. The study
was published as the supplementary cover paper for Nano Letters, an
international journal on nanotechnology.
The
research team mimicked the structure of vesicles, an organelle within a cell,
and synthesized a magnetic-catalyst-combined nanoreactor with iron-oxide
nanoparticles and palladium catalysts inside a hollow silica nanoshell.
When MAG-NER encounters an alternating magnetic field, iron-oxide nanoparticles inside cause magnetic field-induced heat and activate only the palladium catalyst without raising the exterior temperature. The research team succeeded in implementing the catalytic reaction with high efficiency, which transforms non-fluorescent reactants into fluorescent products through implanting MAG-NER into living cells then applying alternating magnetic fields. The research team also confirmed that the catalyst of MAG-NER can remain active for long periods of time without being contaminated by biomolecules in cells and does not affect the cells' survival.
Using
MAG-NER, it is anticipated that diagnosis and treatment methods, that can
artificially remote control the cell's functions, can be developed as
artificial molecules can be synthesized or chemical reactions can be induced
within cells using magnetic fields that are harmless to the body.
Professor
In Su Lee who led the research explained, "This research is a result of
utilizing the hallow nanoreactor materials that our lab has been developing
over the years and is valued as an innovative chemical tool that will advance
biomedical and biological research."