Researchers from the Basque centre CIC biomaGUNE and the University
of Antwerp (Belgium) have designed nanoparticles with one half formed of
gold branches and the other of silicon oxide.
They are a kind of Janus
particle, so-called in honour of the Roman god with two faces, which
could be used in phototherapy in the future to treat tumours.
In Roman mythology, Janus was the god of gates, doors, beginnings and
transitions between the past and the future. In fact, the first month
of the year, January (from the Latin, ianuarĭus), bears his
name.
This deity was characterised by his profile of two faces,
something which has inspired scientists, when naming their chemical
designs with two clearly distinct components.
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| Two examples of nanostars with one silicon oxide face (bluish) and another with golden branches (yellow). / Credit: Liz-Marzán et al. |
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