Molecular interactions hold key to how nanoparticles behave in cells

URL

http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=18978.php

Description

Molecular interactions hold key to how nanoparticles behave in cells (Nanowerk News) Nanoparticles show promise in solving a host of problems, from pinpointing medical diagnoses to developing alternative forms of energy and creating more durable materials. But scientists have yet to determine exactly how these tiny particles interact in their environment, whether inside humans or in the world at large, and if those interactions can be toxic. In a recent study ("Cellular recognition and trafficking of amorphous silica nanoparticles by macrophage scavenger receptor A"), scientists at EMSL and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) discovered cellular interactions of nanoparticles at the molecular level that may lead to answers about how these particles impact living systems. Nanoparticles (shown in red) co-localized and moved with Scavenger Receptor A (green), suggesting that this receptor may play a role in mediating the interaction and fate of these particles in the certain cells