GUWAHATI: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati on Monday announced the development of a new nanomaterial that can be a cost-effective method for identifying toxic metals like mercury in human cells.
The team developed stable metal halide perovskite nanocrystals capable of detecting toxic metals like mercury in live cells without causing any harm. The innovation could revolutionize disease diagnostics and environmental monitoring by improving the detection and management of metal toxicity in biological systems, said the researchers.
“One of the standout features of these perovskite nanocrystals is their narrow emission linewidth, which is desirable for improving the sensitivity due to the high signal-to-noise ratio for metallic detection,” said Prof. Saikat Bhaumik, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, IIT Guwahati.
To ensure the nanocrystals maintain their functionality over extended periods, the team encapsulated the perovskite nanocrystals in silica and polymer coatings.
The enhanced nanocrystals emit a bright green light under specific wavelengths, enabling precise detection of mercury ions, which are hazardous even in minute concentrations. Moreover, when tested on live mammalian cells, the nanocrystals were found to be non-toxic, preserving cell function while effectively monitoring mercury ions.
Beyond mercury detection, these nanocrystals could also play a pivotal role in identifying other toxic metals in biological systems and could also be adapted for drug delivery, enabling real-time monitoring of treatment efficacy.
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