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I wondered what makes these 'molecular jackhammers' attack only cancer cells. The trick is that they are dye molecules, which can be engineered to attach to a s

I wondered what makes these 'molecular jackhammers' attack only cancer cells. The trick is that they are dye molecules, which can be engineered to attach to a specific biomolecule.

Terr_ 3y ago
Also the fact that they're activated/powered by an external light source, meaning it's fine if they accidentally bind to healthy cells as long as those cells are not within the area getting beamed.
- fnordpiglet 3y ago
  Would be better if it worked against ultrasound, xray, or other focusable beams that can pass through flesh.
  - adamredwoods 3y ago
    Near infra-red light (NIR) can get past the skin, but not by much. 3cm maybe? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4552256/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4552256/
    - appplication 3y ago
      The study is on melanoma so that’s probably acceptable for this use case.