DNA ‘barcodes’ help NUS researchers pinpoint gold nanoparticles that can strike cancer at its power source
- May 12, 2026
Photo credit: NUS
Every living cell in our body needs an “power station” to function: the mitochondria, which generate the energy cells run on.
Cancer cells that grow and divide rapidly, are especially dependent on these power stations, so mitochondria are an attractive target for cancer therapy.
At iHealthtech, Assistant Professor Andy Tay and his team developed a DNA “barcoding” platform that allows them to test many gold nanoparticle designs at the same time (e.g., different sizes, shapes) in living tumour models. In simple terms: each nanoparticle design gets a tiny “DNA label,” so the team can track which designs are best at navigating the body and reaching tumour mitochondria: a target that is difficult to access.
Once the most effective nanoparticles are identified, the team explored a two-pronged treatment approach:
- Gene-silencing therapy (siRNA): switching off specific cellular instructions so the cancer cell’s mitochondria (the power station) can’t function properly
- Photothermal therapy: using near‑infrared light to gently heat the nanoparticles and stress/kill tumour cells
In preclinical studies, a folic acid–modified, cube-shaped gold nanoparticle, used with this combined strategy, achieved 99% tumour regression.
The big takeaway for this work: this is not just “a better nanoparticle”—it’s a faster, smarter way to find the best nanoparticle design for a tough biological target, bringing us closer to precision nanomedicine.
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