Research scholars from Indian Institute of Technology Madras have developed carbon 'nanotube' which can kill cancer cells without affecting neighbour cells and tissues. A team of researchers worked day and night, and found carbon nanotubes which are less than one micron in length.
They are made by rolling graphene sheets. So they are used to target photodynamic therapy. Cancer cells are clearly spotted and they are killed without inducing heat or toxic effect to the body. Graphene is an atomic layer of graphite and these nanotubes will measure about 20 to 30 nanometre.
The outer diameter is about 50-60 nanometers. Regarding this, IIT Professor, Sundara Ramaprabhu said, Nanotubes have excellent thermal conductivity and have a large surface area to support and carry a drug.
The heat from the radiation passes through nanomaterial present in the cells. The surrounding cells, which have not absorbed the nanotubes, will remain unaffected. When it comes to cancer therapy carbon nanotubes are made by rolling graphene sheets and they are more effective."
