Carbon nanotubes may help revolutionise X-ray technology
London, January 29 (ANI): Rice University chemists have come up with an idea to improve X-ray images to such an extent that they will reveal the difference among soft tissues as clearly as they show the differences between bones and soft tissues.
In order to show up abnormal tissue, contrast agents containing strongly X-ray-scattering substances like iodine are used. Such agents accentuate areas where there is strong blood flow, such as in cancer tumours.
They, however, are quickly flushed through the body by the blood and cannot be targeted at specific cell types.
Lon Wilson and his colleagues say that a better way to improve X-ray images of soft tissues could be to utilise carbon nanotubes for the purpose, embedding them into living cells, reports New Scientist magazine.
The researchers propose to fill carbon nanotubes with iodine, coat them with a film of protein that bonds with specific types of cell, and allow the tubes to become embedded in the cells of interest.
They say not only will this give a greater choice of targets for analysis, but also allow images to be taken over a longer periods of time because the nanotubes are buried in situ rather than only passing through in the blood. (ANI)
Related posts:
- Scientists capture first optical images of carbon nanotubes inside fruit flies
- Turning waste plastic into carbon nanotubes
- How carbon nanotubes can affect lining of the lungs
- Scientists solve problem of building carbon nanotubes with right structure
- Metal catalysts in carbon nanotubes block critical signalling pathway in neurons
- Defects in carbon nanotubes could lead to improved charging for cell phones
- Carbon nanotubes could be used to make efficient solar cells
- Carbon nanotubes produced from polymeric resins
- Nanotubes can boost plant growth
- Tiny carbon nanotubes could help boost plant growth
- ‘Missing link’ to revolutionise use of stem cells
- Sponges recycle carbon to give life to coral reefs
- Improved nanotubes will help transistors shrink smaller than silicon ones
- New discovery may lead to more effective stem cell therapies for leukemia
- Software that predicts stem cell fate created