This is a crucial step forward that could pave the way for new and effective treatments for neurodegenerative illnesses in the future.
Nanotechnology is one of the most advanced branch of science that has found a wide range of involvement is multiple aspect of the biological system. One of the advantages of this branch of science is that these molecules can be engineered, specifically for each and every case with distinct chemical composition, size and shape. They are used along as a tool for imaging, sensing, drug delivery and many more. These unique properties enables nanoparticles to be used in wide range of biomedical research and to understand several biological questioning.
According to a recent discovery, by scientists of Umea University, Sweden, in a joint study with researchers of Croatia and Lithuania, claims stimulated by Nanoparticles, that has the ability to remove the plaques from brain cells and tissues. This discovery has already been very promising as researchers are further expecting to find a possible potent solution for several neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Neurodegenerations and its related disease, are primarily due to an improper folding of protein, forming insoluble fibril structures known as Amyloids. These fibrils destroys a particular neuronal cell, thereby forming a visible plaque in the brain.
The nanoparticles found by the scientists of Umea University, take part in resisting this amyloid formation and helps in solubilizing the previously formed amyloid clots in the brain tissues. These molecules are named as polyoxoniobates or polyoxometalate ions, which is negative in charge because of the presence of a chemical element, named niobium. Most of the studies in this aspect has been done using either fluorescence method or Atomic Force Microscopy.
Two different isotypes of nanosized polyoxoniobates has been found; TiNb9 and Nb10. Both of them has been acutely involved to inhibit the formation of amyloid plaque, with the help of iconic interactions, causing amyloid molecules to self-assemble and therefore get dissolved in a matter of time.
Although, according to the researchers, further information is required to analyze the safeness of this approach in human system.