Stanford Engineers Create a New Nanoprobe that Can Enter the Cell's Structure

Trying to gain a better understanding the complexity of cells is something that scientists have been working on for decades. It appears that Stanford Engineers might have find a better way to do just that. These clever engineers have created a new nanoprobe that is capable of slipping into a cell. This probe will then be able to monitor all the activities that are going on inside of the cell. The end result is that this could result in scientists gaining a better understanding on how to fight certain diseases.

This amazing discovery was brought to my attention by a friend who works for Popular Science (source 1). A nanoprobe allows scientists the opportunity to insert medications into the cells and even improve attachments involving artificial limps. In order to make the nanoprobe fit, the scientists had to make it very small. The 600 nanometer-long silicon probe is just a bit larger than a virus. However, it is also smaller than bacteria.

This size allows it to penetrate the cell membranes though the process of imitating the design of the cell's proteins. The proteins normally act as gatekeepers and decided what they want to let in and let out. By imitating the design of the proteins, scientists are able to trick the cell and gain access when the cell would normally deny such access.

Perhaps the most important incorporation into their nanoprobe was the three layers of metal. The first layer is a gold layer that is sandwiched between two chromium layers. This is done so that the nanoprobe mimics the structure of the cell. The metal-coated probe is then able to monitor what is going on inside of the cell by monitoring the electrical signals withing the cells. It is a known fact that cells use electrical signals to communicate with each other or respond to certain types of medication.

The engineers have just begun tests using the nanoprobe and have stated that it will take a few years to come up with their concluded results. They are currently using the nanoprobe to monitor human red blood cells and cervical cancer cells. The plan is to monitor the activity of the cells and experiment with certain medications directly into the cell to see if it has a healing affect. Whatever the results will be will mark a huge step in the right direction to conquering disease.

Time will tell if this is the right method to use to kill such diseases as cancer, aids, and leukemia. The only negative that I find with this awesome invention is that we are going to have to wait some time to find out how well it works. It appears that the engineers have already conquered the hardest step of gaining access into the cell. The rest of the results will come over time and let us all hope that it works out for the best.

Sources:
Steven A. Mottor, My Own Review, 2010
Popular Science, http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-04/stealthy-nanoprobe-slips-seamlessly-cell-walls, 2010