According to Science Direct, “Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are a class of nanomaterials composed of metals such as cobalt, nickel, and iron, with paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, or superparamagnetic properties.” MNPs are being used in more and more biological and medical applications — “nanomedicine” — from therapeutic treatments and magnetic targeting to cardiovascular imaging, tissue engineering, targeted drug delivery, and disease detection.

MNPs & Cancer

Cancer has resulted in millions of deaths, and as it stands, most of the current therapies and treatments used have negative, sometimes detrimental, side effects. For this reason, researchers have been exploring new ways to detect, treat, or deliver therapy for cancer with an improved ratio of benefit to risk.    Interestingly, they have discovered that nanoparticles are useful in this area. Magnetic nanoparticles specifically are receiving more and more attention due to their unique properties. Because MNPs can be controlled via an external magnetic field, they can be maneuvered and delivered in a site specific fashion.    MNPs can also be implemented to heat up a tumor and kill it. Maneuvering them into the tumors and releasing heat energy damages the cancer cells, which are more sensitive to temperature increase vs. health cells. 

Apex Magnets

While nanomedicine isn’t yet in clinical use, research has made enormous strides and is progressing quickly. Many different industrial and scientific areas have invested in the development of magnetic nanoparticles as well, including electronic and material sciences. This is just another example of how magnets and, even magnetic nanoparticles, are changing the world!   Remember to stay up-to-date on the latest news by signing up for our newsletter. You will receive stories like this and so much more sent straight to your inbox. If you ever have questions about a specific product, give us a call or email us!