Remember carbon nanotubes? The technology is becoming a rage with its multiple uses in various fields. From DRAM like memory to modern super glue, carbon nanotubes are everywhere!

Yes, this is the same topic we had discussed few weeks ago. Back then, it was about their use to detect human blood. As expected, here is one more field where carbon nanotubes are all set to prove their usefulness.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have managed to develop "customized" nano sized carbon nanotubes that can act as sensors to detect carcinogens inside living cells. Apart from detecting carcinogens, they also identify chemotherapy drugs, which are very powerful DNA disruptors. These sensors are also capable of detecting toxins and other free radicals that pose a threat to DNA. The sensors can be "placed" into living cells, unobtrusively and have the ability to detect various types of agents that can possibly affect DNA adversely.

Its use as chemotherapy analyzer could be of great help in determining if the very powerful chemotherapy drugs used to destroy carcinogenic cells are really doing their job. The sensors will also be able to determine if a particular drug is active and is doing its intended job of neutralizing cancer causing agents.

The scientists also plan to use the sensors to study the effects of various anti-oxidants on DNA. They are also hopeful about the use of these sensors to learn how to make chemotherapy treatment far more effective than it is at present.

So, how does all this work? Apparently, each of the nanotubes is coated with DNA, which enables them to bind to DNA damaging agents present in the cell (if any). Now, carbon nanotubes have this ability to emit florescent light when subjected to infrared radiation/light. If there is an interaction between the DNA coated on the carbon nanotube and DNA damaging agents, the wavelength of the fluorescent light emitted by the DNA coated carbon nanotube changes. Depending on the wavelength change, scientists would be able to determine the specific agent that caused the change - accurately identifying it in the process.

The nanotubes coated with DNA can be safely injected in to the body, which makes their use a very easy affair. Continuous research in this field will ensure that in future, cancer treatments would be not only faster, but will also turn out to be much more efficient.

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