Biomimetic nanoparticles used to treat bacterial infections

MIT Technology Review : Many infectious bacteria produce toxins that attack and kill red blood cells. Current treatments have to be targeted to a specific toxin. Now, Liangfang Zhang of the University of California, San Diego, and his colleagues have created a nanoparticle “sponge” whose coating of red blood cell membrane traps all such toxins. Because 3000 nanosponges can be created from a single red blood cell, the decoys greatly outnumber the real red blood cells in the circulatory system. When toxins attack the sponges, they get stuck. Eventually they reach the liver, which disposes of both the sponges and the toxins. In animal testing, biopsies showed no significant accumulation of toxins in the liver nor any signs of sickness. If the nanoparticles receive regulatory approval, they will be especially useful in treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.