Cancer-burning magnets developed in Scots laboratory

Published on Sunday 2 March 2008 21:18

SCOTTISH scientists have discovered how to burn away cancer by using tiny magnets attached to bacteria.

Researchers at Edinburgh University say their findings will allow doctors to guide powerful but tiny "nanomagnets" straight to the site of tumours inside cancer patients' bodies. There they can be activated to destroy cancerous tissue by heating or to release drugs.

Previous studies into the use of the biomagnets have stumbled as they have lost their magnetic force easily.

Now, though, the Edinburgh scientists have become the first in the world to develop nanomagnets that keep their magnetism so they can deliver potentially life-saving treatment.

Dr Sarah Staniland, research fellow at the university's school of biological sciences, grew magnetic bacteria in a cobalt solution. Putting an alternating field through the magnets causes them to heat up, enabling doctors to burn tumours away.

The research is published in Nature Nanotechnology.