Light-Induced Vibrations: A Breakthrough Approach to Shattering Melanoma Cells

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In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists at Rice University and their collaborative partners have unveiled a revolutionary method for destroying cancer cells by vibrational properties inherent in specific molecules when exposed to light.

Ciceron Ayala-Orozco is a research scientist in the Tour lab at Rice University, and lead author on the study.Photo byJeff Fitlow/Rice University

As detailed within their latest release in Nature Chemistry, the research elucidates how the atoms within a minute dye molecule, a staple in medical imaging, achieve synchronized vibrations—termed as a plasmon—when activated by near-infrared light. This synchronized vibrational phenomenon precipitates the rupture of cancerous cell membranes, demonstrating an extraordinary 99 percent efficacy against laboratory cultures of human melanoma cells. Notably, this cutting-edge approach resulted in half of the mice harboring melanoma tumors achieving a cancer-free state post-treatment.

Leading the charge, Rice chemist James Tour characterized this groundbreaking technique as a "whole new generation of molecular machines," coined as "molecular jackhammers."

James Tour T. T. and W. F. Chao Professor of ChemistryPhoto byPhoto by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University

This builds upon Tour's precedent-setting work involving nanoscale compounds featuring a light-activated paddle-like chain of atoms, consistently spinning to penetrate outer membranes of infectious bacteria, cancer cells, and treatment-resistant fungi.

“Near-infrared light can go as deep as 10 centimeters (~ 4 inches) into the human body as opposed to only half a centimeter (~ 0.2 inches), the depth of penetration for visible light, which we used to activate the nanodrills,” said Tour

Diverging from nanoscale drills reliant on Nobel laureate Bernard Feringa’s molecular motors, molecular jackhammers employ an entirely novel and unprecedented mechanism of action.

A molecular jackhammer (blue) attaches itself to a cancer cell’s lipid bilayer lining. When stimulated with near-infrared light, it vibratesPhoto byCiceron Ayala-Orozco/Rice University

A critical advantage lies in the exceptional depth penetration of near-infrared light, offering access to organs or bones without inflicting tissue damage.

The utilized jackhammers, comprising aminocyanine molecules—a class of synthetic fluorescent dyes frequently employed in medical imaging—mark a monumental stride in the relentless pursuit of more authoritative, targeted, and efficacious cancer therapies.

The structure of an aminocyanine molecule (a molecular jackhammer) overlaid on top of the calculated molecular plasmon by TD-DFT theory.Photo byCiceron Ayala-Orozco/Rice University

Find more about the study here at Rice University