Prof. Aguilar and Dr.Lee with ultrasound biosensor

Monash University (Melbourne, Australia) medical scientists have developed “. . . nanoparticles consisting of a silica core coated in a methacrylic acid polymer, which makes the particles responsive to pH. These can be implanted deep into the tissues, where changes in pH levels then cause changes in the stiffness of the particles, which can be picked up by a standard ultrasound scanner outside the body. This was demonstrated in gel phantoms simulating biological tissue, in mouse cadaver tissue and in live mice.”  Apparently, this is the world’s first ultrasound biosensor.  MORE

Image Credit:  Monash University News