Artificial organelles

Artificial organelles
May 12/19, 2008
Artificial limbs have been around for centuries, and scientists have been working on artificial organs for decades. Now come artificial organelles, the tiny components of a cell that control the cell's biochemical functions. Enzyme-containing nanoscale polymer vesicles placed inside cells function like natural organelles. These artificial organelles could restore or add biochemical functions to cells in order to treat diseases.

Research paper:
Cell-Specific Integration of Artificial Organelles Based on Functionalized Polymer Vesicles
Nano Letters, published online April 30, 2008

Researcher homepage(s):
Research Group Nanomedicine, University Hospital Basel

Related stories and briefs:
Nano syringe
Cell logic
Biochip holds millions of vessels