Skip to main content
  • About ELGA
    • About ELGA
    • Ultrapure water
    • Purification Technologies
    • Impurities In Water
    • Guides & White Papers
    • Approved Partners
    • Sustainability
    • Reducing Clinical Risks
    • Careers
    • Events
    • HPLC in Pharma
    • HPLC Water Purity
  • Blog
    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Clinical & Pharma
    • Cool Science
    • Environment and sustainability
    • Life in the lab
    • Purelab product design
    • Science of the future
    • Water Purity
    • Water in the lab
  • Contact
  • Deutsch
  • Español
  • Français
  • Italiano
  • Português
  • 日本語
  • 中文
Home ELGA LabWater
  • Products
  • Applications
  • Case Studies
  • Support
  • Products
    • PURELAB
    • CENTRA
    • MEDICA
    • BIOPURE
    • ELGA Full Product Range
  • Applications
  • Case Studies
    • Abbott Diagnostics chooses ELGA MEDICA systems in South Asia
    • Beam Me Up, Scotty: PURELAB® Option Q Delivers Essential Ultra Pure Water
    • Clean Water for a Clean Future
    • Critital Tests Benefit from PURELAB® Option Reliable Pure Water
    • DASA: The biggest medical diagnostics company in Brazil
    • ELGA helps immuneserology labs maximize uptime
    • Importance of ultrapure Type 1+ water for the development of generic medicines
    • MEDICA® Pro selected for Siemens ADVIA® analyzers at City General Hospital
    • Optimale Wasserqualität für mikrobiologische Forschung und Lehre
    • PURELAB® Option R Guarantees Pure Water for Leading Microfluidics Technology
    • PURELAB® Pulse Delivers Reliable Water Quality and Quantity for a Wide Range of Applications
    • PURELAB® flex: an ideal training system for today's research method
    • Powering Cutting-Edge Gene Research
    • Sichere Reinstwasserversorgung für präzise Produkttests
    • Zentrale Reinstwasser-Aufbereitung für Analyser
    • ELGA LabWater and Beckman Coulter Join Forces
    • Applied New Technologies Department Improves ICP, IC & HPLC Sample Turnaround Times with PURELAB®
    • Unlocking the secrets of the Antarctic with the aid of ultrapure water
    • Advancing Genetic Technologies
    • Cross Infection Control: Pure and Simple
    • Researching effective new ways to prevent cardiovascular disease at the University of Columbia
  • Support
    • Support & Services
    • Laboratory Planning
    • Register a Product
    • Register Your Product (USA & Canada Only)
  • Products
    • PURELAB
      • PURELAB Chorus 1 Complete
      • PURELAB® Chorus 1
      • PURELAB Chorus 2+
      • PURELAB® Chorus 2
      • PURELAB® Chorus 3
      • PURELAB® flex 1 & 2
      • PURELAB® flex 3 & 4
    • CENTRA
      • CENTRA® 60/120
      • CENTRA® RDS
      • CENTRA® R200
    • MEDICA
      • MEDICA® 7/15
      • MEDICA® EDI 15/30
      • MEDICA® Pro EDI 60/120
      • MEDICA® Pro-LPS
      • MEDICA® Pro-R and Pro-RE
      • MEDICA® R200
    • BIOPURE
      • BIOPURE 7/15
      • BIOPURE 60/120
      • BIOPURE 200/300/600
    • ELGA Full Product Range
      • PURELAB® Classic
  • Applications
  • Case Studies
    • Abbott Diagnostics chooses ELGA MEDICA systems in South Asia
    • Beam Me Up, Scotty: PURELAB® Option Q Delivers Essential Ultra Pure Water
    • Clean Water for a Clean Future
    • Critital Tests Benefit from PURELAB® Option Reliable Pure Water
    • DASA: The biggest medical diagnostics company in Brazil
    • ELGA helps immuneserology labs maximize uptime
    • Importance of ultrapure Type 1+ water for the development of generic medicines
    • MEDICA® Pro selected for Siemens ADVIA® analyzers at City General Hospital
    • Optimale Wasserqualität für mikrobiologische Forschung und Lehre
    • PURELAB® Option R Guarantees Pure Water for Leading Microfluidics Technology
    • PURELAB® Pulse Delivers Reliable Water Quality and Quantity for a Wide Range of Applications
    • PURELAB® flex: an ideal training system for today's research method
    • Powering Cutting-Edge Gene Research
    • Sichere Reinstwasserversorgung für präzise Produkttests
    • Zentrale Reinstwasser-Aufbereitung für Analyser
    • ELGA LabWater and Beckman Coulter Join Forces
    • Applied New Technologies Department Improves ICP, IC & HPLC Sample Turnaround Times with PURELAB®
    • Unlocking the secrets of the Antarctic with the aid of ultrapure water
    • Advancing Genetic Technologies
    • Cross Infection Control: Pure and Simple
    • Researching effective new ways to prevent cardiovascular disease at the University of Columbia
  • Support
    • Support & Services
    • Laboratory Planning
    • Register a Product
    • Register Your Product (USA & Canada Only)
  • Deutsch
  • Español
  • Français
  • Italiano
  • Português
  • 日本語
  • 中文
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Global Legal Compliance
  • Patents
  • Impressum

Let's talk about lab water

  • Categories
    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Clinical & Pharma
    • Cool Science
    • Environment & Sustainability
    • Future Science
    • Life in The Lab
    • PURELAB Product Design
    • Science of the Future
    • Water In The Lab
    • Water Purity
  • Authors
    • ELGA Editorial Team
    • Natasha Zarach
    • Dr Paul Whitehead
    • Dr Alison Halliday
    • John Walker
Clinical & Pharma

Gold Nanoparticles can Penetrate Deep Inside Brain Cells

3 Aug 2020
- by Dr Alison Halliday

Carbon nanoparticles with gold mesh

A new study demonstrates the potential of using ultrasmall gold nanoparticles for imaging or delivering drugs into the brain.

As its name suggests, the blood-brain–barrier provides a defence against any infectious agents and toxins that are in our blood. But one of the major challenges in finding cures for brain diseases – such as tumours, stroke and dementia – is that there is no truly efficient way to get treatments to cross it.

Nanoparticle delivery systems offer promising new opportunities for transporting drug molecules across the blood-brain–barrier. Due to their small size (<2nm), ultrasmall gold nanoparticles may be particularly well suited for transporting substances into cells.

In recent years advanced three–dimensional cell culture systems, such as multicellular spheroids, are emerging as powerful tools to test the penetration ability of potential therapeutics. In 3D brain spheroids, the blood-brain–barrier is simulated by the outer layer, which prevents the movement of drugs or particles from the growth media (the ‘blood’) into the core (the ‘brain’).

Tracking Nanoparticles 

In a new study, published in Acta Biomaterialia, a team of researchers investigated the ability of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles to penetrate brain cells in a 3D brain spheroid model.1 The researchers prepared three different kinds of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles, each tagged with a different fluorescent dye to enable them to track their uptake into cells or spheroids using confocal scanning microscopy.

The team used ultrapure water generated from an ELGA PURELAB® laboratory water purification system for all synthesis and purification steps, minimising the risk of introducing contaminants that may affect their results. They first carried out 2D cell culture experiments to test the ability of their nanoparticles to penetrate three different types of cells that make up the brain (astrocytes, pericytes and endothelial cells) grown in the same dish. They found that all three kinds of nanoparticles readily entered all cell types. Two were even able to get inside the nucleus, the central part of the cell containing its DNA.

Entering the Third Dimension

The team went on to create a 3D brain spheroid model from the same three cell types. They showed that after 120 hours, these self–assemble into spheroids with the core made up mainly of astrocytes, covered with pericytes, while endothelial cells form the outer surface. 

They showed that all three types of nanoparticle were able to enter the spheroids, but dissolved unattached dye molecules did not. However, when they then added a substance that opened the outer layer of the spheroid, the unattached dyes were then able to get inside – proving the presence of a functional blood-brain–barrier.

A Promising New Drug Delivery System

In this study, the researchers successfully synthesised three kinds of fluorescent ultrasmall gold nanoparticles and proved they can penetrate brain cells grown in 2D and 3D culture.

Ultrasmall gold nanoparticles offer the potential to become an effective system for delivering small biomolecules and dyes across the blood-brain–barrier – offering the hope of more effective treatments for people with brain disease in the future.

Why Choose ELGA LabWater?

ELGA has been a trusted name in pure and ultrapure water since 1937. Our dedication to ultrapure and pure water is a guarantee that we will continue to provide the best solutions with the best service.
 

Reference:

1. Sokolova, V. et al. Ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (2 nm) can penetrate and enter cell nuclei in an in vitro 3D brain spheroid model. Acta Biomaterialia 2020;11:349–362 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2020.04.023
 

Dr Alison Halliday

After completing an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry & Genetics at Sheffield University, Alison was awarded a PhD in Human Molecular Genetics at the University of Newcastle. She carried out five years as a Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UCL, investigating the genes involved in childhood obesity syndrome. Moving into science communications, she spent ten years at Cancer Research UK engaging the public about the charity’s work. She now specialises in writing about research across the life sciences, medicine and health.

 

risk whitepaper

When lives are at stake, there is no margin for error. Your clinical analyser must receive a constant and reliable supply of CLRW. 

Find out how to protect your test results

                   Click Here

 

Highlights

22 Feb 2021
Challenges in the Purification of Drinking Water Part 2
15 Feb 2021
Challenges in the Purification of Drinking Water Part 1
8 Feb 2021
Exploring the Ancient Hair Proteome
25 Jan 2021
Could Hemp Seeds Provide A Natural Sleep Aid?
18 Jan 2021
Forensic Toxicological Analysis Of Cannabinoids In Blood
14 Dec 2020
Developing Batteries Powered by Human Urine 
23 Nov 2020
Improving the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Infections
16 Nov 2020
Does The Type Of Wine Fermentation Vessel Matter?

Categories

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Clinical & Pharma
  • Cool Science
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • Future Science
  • Life in The Lab
  • PURELAB Product Design
  • Science of the Future
  • Water In The Lab
  • Water Purity

Video

  • Enquiry
  • Get a Quote
  • Book a Demo
  • Find an Approved Partner

Enquiry

Please check this to confirm that you have read our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Get a Quote

Please check this to confirm that you have read our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Book a Demo

Please check this to confirm that you have read our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Call us

Can't find what you are looking for?

Support Number
+44 (0)20 3567 7300
United Kingdom Sales
+44 (0)1628 879 704
United States of America Sales
+1 877-315-3542
France Sales
+33 1 40 83 65 00
China Sales
+86 400-616-8882

 

ELGA LabWater Head Quarters

Lane End Business Park
Lane End, High Wycombe
HP14 3BY
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 203 567 7300
F: +44 (0) 203 567 7205

The Ultrapure Water Specialists

  • Support & Services
  • Events

Case Studies

  • Abbott Diagnostics
  • DASA Medical Diagnostics
  • NeoDIN Medical Institute
  • North Staffordshire NHS Trust
  • Olsberg Vocational College

Resources

  • Learn About Ultrapure Water
  • Guides and White Papers
  • Purification Technologies
  • Applications
  • Impurities In Water

Blogs

  • Latest Blog
  • Water Purity - Different Types of Pure Water
  • What is Clinical Laboratory Reagent Water (CLSI)?
  • What is Total Organic Carbon (TOC)?
  • Language
    • Deutsch
    • English
    • Español
    • Français
    • Italiano
    • Português
    • 日本語
    • 中文
  • Other Veolia Sites
    • Veolia
    • Veolia Fondation
    • Veolia Water Technologies

© VWS (UK) Ltd. trading as ELGA LabWater. 2021 - All rights reserved.
ELGA is the global laboratory water brand name of Veolia.

  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Global Legal Compliance
  • Patents
  • Impressum
Elga Veolia
TOP

© 2017 ELGA Veolia