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Scientists have found a way to use tiny bubbles and ultrasound to deliver medicine directly into cells, which could help treat brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The brain is well protected by a barrier that only allows certain substances, like oxygen and nutrients, to pass through.
This makes it difficult to deliver drugs to treat brain diseases. But researchers have discovered that microbubbles—tiny bubbles smaller than a red blood cell—can help solve this problem.
These microbubbles are made of gas and covered in a special fat coating to keep them stable.
They are injected into the bloodstream along with the drug and activated by ultrasound at the target site.
When exposed to ultrasound, the bubbles vibrate and create tiny jets of liquid that open small pores in the cell membrane, allowing the drug to enter.
For the first time, researchers at ETH Zurich have been able to see exactly how this process works. Using a high-powered microscope and a camera that takes ten million images per second, they observed the microbubbles up close.
They found that under a certain ultrasound pressure, the bubbles change shape and form tiny liquid jets—called microjets—that pierce the cell membrane without damaging the cell.
These microjets move at an astonishing speed of 200 kph (124 mph), acting like a tiny pinprick that lets the medicine pass through. Unlike other methods that might damage cells, this technique allows medicine to be delivered safely and precisely.
One of the most exciting discoveries is that this process works at a relatively low ultrasound pressure—comparable to normal air pressure. This means that it could be a safe option for patients.
The researchers also found that just a few pulses of ultrasound are enough to open the pores in the cells, which is great news for medical treatments.
By better understanding how microbubbles work, scientists can develop new drug delivery techniques that are both safe and effective. The research team hopes to refine the process by adjusting the size, coating, and ultrasound settings of the bubbles to make treatments even more efficient.
This breakthrough could change how we treat brain diseases, making it easier to deliver drugs precisely where they are needed. With further development, this method could help millions of people get better treatments with fewer side effects.
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Source: ETH Zurich