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High, stable and, notably, constant luminosity is one of the key properties of diamond
that inspires not just fans of fancy jewelry, but also Czech scientists.
A research team led by Petr Cígler examines and specifically alters both
the structure and surface of diamonds the size of a few tens of nanometers.
"We form on diamonds a sort of a buffer zone to filter out some
of the diamonds´ own undesirable characteristics.
That is, we create on their surfaces additional tiny layers that impede a particular behavior,
while the layers also carry other reactive groups
allowing the connection of molecules that can recognize, say, the surface of cancer cells
or any other properties we choose to target with the particles."
Nanodiamonds are not toxic to living organisms and are able,
thanks to their size and special alterations, to penetrate easily into cells.
Additionally, their peerless optical, electrical and surface properties allow nanodiamonds
to linger in cells, thereby permitting long-term observation,
which no common pigment used in current microscopy can achieve.
The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry fellows see the potential of their work
not only in new possibilities for minute long-term observation of, say, tumor cells,
but also in the treatment of these serious diseases.
"Diamond is a typical non-conducting dielectric.
Such a particle is very interesting for us, as we can form on it tiny layers of precious metals
that allow unusual behavior, which is called plasmonic behavior.
It´s only these nanoobjects that have certain properties — say, when we beam a pulsed laser on them
with the right properties allowing it to penetrate through the tissue,
without causing any harm, we can significantly increase temperature
on the spot where the nanoparticle is placed.
In modifying nanodiamonds correctly for them
to find the right spot, we are able to direct a laser beam there to eliminate
with heat the tissue that is pathogenic."
During laboratory experiments, the researchers managed to selectively target
the cells of brain tumors—glioblastomas.
They are also interested in a whole variety of other cancerous disorders, such as colon and prostate cancers.
To advance the nanodiamond development project , Petr Cígler´s research team
collaborates with many laboratories both abroad and in the Czech Republic.
translation: Miluš Kotišová