Gold nanoparticles have been used in the creation of a new synthetic drug that aims to protect patients against heart attacks, says a report posted in the World Gold Council web site.

Scientists have produced a new synthetic high-density lipoprotein (HDL) through coating gold dust in layers of fat that may help prevent the built up of fat deposits in blood vessels.

The study was conducted by scientists at Northwestern Univserity and was led by Chad Mirkin, who stated that the drug has the effects of a "cholesterol sponge".

And he praised the flexibility of using gold in the HDL, describing it as "an ideal scaffolding material".

"Using gold nanoparticles, which are non-toxic, for synthetic HDL bodes well for the development of a new therapeutic," he added.

Northwestern University recently opened its doors to members of the public, inviting them to visit its laboratories in order to witness demonstrations of the uses of nanoparticles.