Indian Institute of Science (IISc) scientists have developed a new approach to potentially detect and kill cancer cells, especially those which form a solid tumour mass.

• The scientists have created hybrid nanoparticles made of gold and copper sulphide, which can kill cancer cells using heat, and enable their detection using sound waves.
• Jaya Prakash, assistant professor at the Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics (IAP), IISc, said that these particles have photothermal, oxidative stress, and photoacoustic properties.
• “When light is shined on these hybrid nanoparticles, they absorb the light and generate heat, which can kill cancer cells. These nanoparticles also produce singlet oxygen atoms that are toxic for the cells. “We want both these mechanisms to kill the cancer cell,” Mr. Jaya Prakash explained.