A team researchers of have created a nanomicelle that can be used to deliver a drug named docetaxel, which is commonly used to treat various cancers including breast, colon and lung cancer.
What are Nanomicelles and what are it uses?
- Nanomicelles are globe-like structures with a hydrophilic outer shell and a hydrophobic interior.
- This dual property makes them a perfect carrier for delivering drug molecules.
- The nanomicelles are less than 100nm in size and are stable at room temperature.
- Once injected intravenously these nanomicelles can easily escape the circulation and enter the solid tumours where the blood vessels are found to be leaky. These leaky blood vessels are absent in the healthy organs.
- Micelles are used primarily as solutions for membrane proteins. Research shows that nanomicelles are more effective in studying the capabilities of such proteins
- Nanomicelles are typically spherical, but can sometimes take other shapes, such as cylinders and ellipsoids.
- The small size and shape of nanomicelles is only possible due to the molecular geometry of the particle.
- Nanomicelles are formed when amphiphilic molecules assemble themselves to create a globular structure that is only around 5 to 100nm in diameter.
- Empirical evidences have shown that nanomicelles could be used as therapeutic interventions involving protein and peptide delivery.
(Source: The Hindu and news-medical)
