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GERMANY -- German scientists
have designed an organic dye they hope to use against cancer.
The mixture's molecules attach themselves to
the parts of human DNA which are damaged.
Then, under a special kind of radiation, the
colour destroys itself and the section of DNA it is attached
to.
The dye was developed by a team of chemists
at the University of Wuerzburg.
Head of research Dr Heiko Ihmels says it has
huge potential in the field of cancer treatment.
He said: "It can be used to mark the DNA
of affected cells. We can then shine low-energy light at the
marked DNA and destroy it."
This kind of radiation therapy could also be
used to fight certain types of skin disease.
Story filed: 12:47 Wednesday 7th November 2001
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