Cracked bones have drugs delivered directly by self-powered nanoparticles

08/29/2013 - 00:00

By Barbara K. Kennedy -

A novel method for finding and delivering healing drugs to newly formed microcracks in bones has been invented by a team of chemists and bioengineers at Penn State University and Boston University. The method involves the targeted delivery of the drugs, directly to the cracks, on the backs of tiny self-powered nanoparticles. The energy that revs the motors of the nanoparticles and sends them rushing toward the crack comes from a surprising source—the crack itself.

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