Research & Development World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Special Nanocontainers Control Bacterial Metabolism

By ITMO University | November 26, 2018

Researchers from ITMO University developed special nanocontainers that can translate the light signal into metabolic changes in bacteria. The containers consist of titanium dioxide nanoparticles coated with silver and polymers. Once the particles are heated with laser irradiation, the polymer conformation changes and the container opens, releasing the contents.

Scientists tested the new system’s performance using a model enzyme, arabinose. However, it can be replaced with other active substances in order to use the containers for drug delivery.

The research was published in Bioconjugate Chemistry.

The problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is becoming increasingly important, so scientists are constantly looking for alternative ways to influence the metabolism of microorganisms. For example, researchers are now trying to control bacteria by physical means, such as exposure to light. Members of ITMO University’s SCAMT laboratory suggest using special light-sensitive nanocontainers for controlling bacterial metabolism.

Such nanocontainers have a porous structure composed of titanium dioxide with silver particles on the surface. This structure is loaded with an active agent through the pores. In this case, it was L-arabinose: an enzyme causing luminescence in a specially selected bacterial strain.

Finally, the structure is covered with polyelectrolytes, which “seal” the pores, preventing the arabinose from spontaneous release into solution. Once the containers are placed in a bacterial environment, they are irradiated with an infrared laser safe for bacteria.

The laser heats the silver particles, and the polyelectrolytes change their conformation, opening the pores. After that, the arabinose from the container enters the bacterial environment triggering the luminescence.

“We used a special bacterial strain that produces green fluorescent protein. We could easily ‘catch’ this signal and see if the system worked: did the containers open when we irradiated them with the laser. This way, we can learn to ‘talk’ with bacteria, control their metabolism and make them develop in a different direction. And all this with the help of light,” comments Anna Nikitina, the first author of the article, member of ITMO University’ SCAMT Laboratory.

According to the scientists, the developed containers might be used for controlled drug delivery. In the near future, researchers are about to test the system created on solid bacterial environment, as well as to use new bacterial strains. For example, strains whose radiation can sterilize the environment from the inside.

“This research is important since we managed to show the general principle of the system. It became a step towards a deeper understanding of living systems. In the future, this will help us better understand life and create systems with a specific metabolism on our own, up to an ‘artificial’ cell,” says Svetlana Ulasevich, a researcher at the SCAMT Laboratory.

Source: ITMO University

Related Articles Read More >

Illustration of ultracold atoms (gold) flowing frictionlessly along a laser boundary (green), representing the quantum phenomenon of edge states.
MIT physicists directly observe frictionless ‘edge state’ flow in ultracold atoms, offering a glimpse of super-efficient electronics
NTT Research scientist in cleanroom suit working on advanced photonic equipment
NTT Research bets light-based computing can tackles AI’s energy crisis
Scientists claim to generate world’s strongest terahertz radiation
SLAC fires up the world’s most powerful X-ray laser: LCLS-II ushers in a new era of science
rd newsletter
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, trends, and strategies in Research & Development.
RD 25 Power Index

R&D World Digital Issues

Fall 2024 issue

Browse the most current issue of R&D World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading R&D magazine today.

Research & Development World
  • Subscribe to R&D World Magazine
  • Enews Sign Up
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Global Funding Forecast

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search R&D World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE