"I became interested in metals during my master's placement at Jean-Pierre Sauvage's lab," Professor of Chemistry Bonnet explains."His lab focuses on molecular machines that can also contain metals [molecular machines are assemblies of atoms that carry out tasks like machines]. I had consciously chosen his lab because I was really impressed by an article where he showed how you can controlMolecular machines and light also take center stage at Bonnet's lab.
, this form of chemotherapy ensures that the drugs only work once they have reached the tumor and light has been shone on it., a special metal according to Bonnet."What is unique about ruthenium is that it makes a molecule stable in the dark. Whereas a molecule with copper soon begins to react to organic cells in the body, ruthenium only does so when activated by light.. This makes it suited to healing different kinds of tumor.
Bonnet thinks there is still a long way to go before drug manufacturers embrace ruthenium. But he remains hopeful, also because the research into metal drugs is only increasing."A lot of experiments are being done with chloroquine, a malaria. As many mosquitoes are now resistant to chloroquine, various metals are being added to it to allow us to fight the malaria that these mosquitoes spread. These experiments are already yielding interesting results.
Bonnet hasn't yet finished experimenting either."We are now doing a lot of research into where exactly in the body the ruthenium-containing molecule ends up after being injected into the body. You can only start shining light once the ruthenium-containing molecule has reached the tumor. We are also conducting research into which light works best for which tumor. By researching these fundamental aspects, we will hopefully be able to advance cancer therapy.
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