Researchers at the University of Bristol have found that nanoparticles being used to fight cancer can damage the DNA in nearby cells. Their research has been published in the current issue of the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

"In the experiment, scientists from the University of Bristol grew a layer of cells and exposed one side to cobalt-chromium nanoparticles," writes The Guardian's Alok Jha. "On the other side of this cellular barrier were human cells called fibroblasts. Though the nanoparticles never crossed the cellular barrier, they managed to damage the DNA of the fibrolasts via a cascade of biological signals in the intervening cells."

"This opens a very wide door to new safety concerns," writes Cold Truth's Andrew Schneider. "The study, conducted on cells grown in culture, suggests that the indirect effects of nanoparticles on cells should be weighed when evaluating their safety."

More here from AFP ... more here from The Great Beyond ... more here from Reuters ... more here from livemint.com ... more here from ScienceNOW ... more here from BBC News ... and the press release is here.