Adding small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules to the surface of gold nanoparticles can help improve the ability of siRNA to regulate cancer genes, researchers have found.

The discovery has been made by scientists at Northwestern University and means that cancer researchers now have a relatively simple method of introducing the gene regulators into cancer cells, Nanowerk reports.

Those involved in the work found that in order to ensure the surfaces of the gold nanoparticles were free from nucleases, they had to use a stripping method.

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However, this did not adversely affect the optical or physical properties of the 13nm nanoparticles, each of which contained an average of 34 siRNA molecules.

Earlier this week it emerged that tiny particles of the precious metal can be used as a bio sensor that will react when it comes into contact with cancer substances.

According to the Taipei Times, scientists at the National Chia Tung University believe further development could result in home testing kits being made available.

Courtesy: World Gold Council