Novel Technologies News for January 2011

Novel Technologies News Archive

Plankton inspires creation of stealth armour for slow release microscopic drug vehicles Plankton inspires creation of stealth armour for slow release microscopic drug vehicles

The ability of some forms of plankton and bacteria to build an extra natural layer of nanoparticle-like armour has inspired chemists at the University of Warwick to devise a startlingly simple way to give drug bearing polymer vesicles (microscopic polymer based sacs of liquid) their own armoured protection. The Warwick researchers have been able to decorate these hollow structures with a variety of nanoparticles opening a new strategy in the design of vehicles for drug release, for example by giving the vesicle “stealth” capabilities which can avoid the body’s defences while releasing the drug.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches YouTube Chromatography Channel Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches YouTube Chromatography Channel

Online Tuition Videos Give Rapid Insight into Many Chromatography Procedures

Researchers visualise herpes virus's tactical manoeuvre Researchers visualise herpes virus's tactical manoeuvre

For the first time, researchers have developed a 3D picture of a herpes virus protein interacting with a key part of the human cellular machinery, enhancing our understanding of how it hijacks human cells to spread infection and opening up new possibilities for stepping in to prevent or treat infection. This discovery uncovers one of the many tactical manoeuvres employed by the virus.