UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA, USA. A team of researchers were able to develop biomimetic nanosponges which could lead to an effective way of dealing with infections that are resistant to known antibiotics. Each nanosponge is actually a tiny polymer-based particle which measures 85nm across and is wrapped in a red blood cell membrane. The moment scientists injected the material into mice for experiment; toxic proteins immediately attached themselves to the nanosponges. They were then transported to the liver for natural removal harmlessly.

The study that was conducted involved mice that were given a lethal dose of a bacterial toxin called Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which is resistant to Methicillin. During the test, it was proven that the nanosponges were effective in combating MRSA which increased the rodents’ chance of survival. They also conducted several tests on the mice. One was before injecting them with the toxins and the other was after they have been infected with the toxin.

The results showed that 89% of the mice survived when they were treated with nanosponges before injected with the toxins. On the other hand, 44% of the mice survived when they were treated with the nanosponge after they have been infected with the toxin. When the mice were treated exactly at the same time with both the toxin and nanosponges (70-to-one ratio), none of the mice were affected by the toxins. It has also been shown in tests done in 2011 that the nanosponges could stay inside the body for almost 3 days and still function effectively.

Professor Liangfang Zhang and his team of researchers developed the nanosponge. Although the test results are truly groundbreaking, it is still yet to be proven effective or human use. At the same time, the nanosponges are only effective against certain types of infections. That means it won’t affect toxins that attack the nervous systems. Although the nanosponge has its limitations as of the moment, we can expect to hear more exciting developments about it in the next few days to come as the scientists behind it continue to find ways to broaden its use in terms of medical coverage.