Scientists Float Soap Bubbles As a More Effective Drug Delivery Method

Zothecula writes: As if soap bubbles don't spread enough happiness on their own, scientists have discovered a way of coating them in biomolecules with a view to treating viruses, cancer and other diseases. The technology has been developed at the University of Maryland, where researchers devised a method of tricking the body into mistaking the bubbles for harmful cells, triggering an immune response and opening up new possibilities in the delivery of drugs and vaccines.

Comments

Bubbles in Bloodstream is Dangerous

[ad454]

Having bubbles in ones bloodstream is extremely dangerous, and potentially fatal. Just ask any informed scuba diver about the biggest risk they face.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D...

Even worse, there is evidence that bubbles in the bloodstream get covered by platelets, resulting in cumulative neurological damage.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pm...
https://www.uhms.org/images/DC...

The damaged caused by bubbles in the bloodstream will typically outweigh any medical benefit from this type of drug/vaccine delivery.

micelles

[kencurry]

FTFA - "The soap bubbles—formally known as functionalized catanionic surfactant vesicles—are made of a combination of soap-like components that have an affinity for each other and spontaneously form capsules when mixed together." I think they mean to say micelles; they just needed to fancy it up for the patent apps, board meetings, and press releases.