Scientists at the University of Southampton have identified key characteristics that enhance a nanoparticles ability to penetrate1 skin, in a milestone2 study which could have major implications for the delivery of drugs. Nanoparticles are up to 100,000 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair and drugs delivered using them as a platform, can be more concentrated, targeted and efficient than those delivered through traditional means.Although previous studies have shown that nanoparticles interact with the skin, conditions in these experiments have not been sufficiently3 controlled to establish design rules that enhance penetration4.Now a multidisciplinary team from the University has explored changes in the surface charge, shape and functionality of gold nanoparticles to see how these factors affect skin penetration.By creating nanoparticles with different physicochemical characteristics and testing them on skin, we have shown that positively5 charged nanorod shaped, nanoparticles are two to six times more effective at penetrating6 skin than others, says lead author Dr Antonios Kanaras. When the nanoparticles are coated with cell penetrating peptides, the penetration is further enhanced by up to ten times, with many particles making their way into the deeper layers of the skin .Establishing which characteristics contribute to penetration is also important in discovering ways to prevent potentially toxic7 nanoparticles in other materials, such as cosplaymetics8, from entering the skin.The research, which has been published in the journal Small, drew on the medical expertise9 of Dr Neil Smyth and Dr Michael Ardern-Jones, as well as contributions from physicist10 Professor Otto Muskens. PhD student Rute Fernandes conducted the experimental work.Our interest is now focused on incorporating these findings into the design of new nanotechnological drugs for transdermal therapy, says Dr Kanaras. We welcome the opportunity to work with external partners in industry and government in order to achieve this.
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1 penetrate v.透入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，知道 参考例句： Western ideas penetrate slowly through the East.西方观念渐渐传入东方。 The sunshine could not penetrate where the trees were thickest.阳光不可以透入树木最浓密的地方。
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