Nanozyme

News: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have developed an artificial metal-based nanozyme that can potentially be used to clamp down on abnormal blood clotting caused by conditions like pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Nanozyme

About Nanozyme

• A nanozyme is a nanomaterial that exhibits enzyme-like catalytic activity, meaning it can mimic the functions of natural enzymes in facilitating biochemical reactions.
  • They mimic the activity of natural antioxidant enzymes, which scavenge reactive oxidative molecules.
• Nanozymes can be made from a variety of materials, including metals, metal oxides, carbon-based materials, and metal-organic frameworks.
• Significance: These nanozymes developed by IISc. can be very efficiently used to clamp down on abnormal blood clotting caused by conditions like pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).
• Working: These nanozymes work by controlling Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, thereby preventing the over-activation of platelets that leads to excess clot formation or thrombosis.
  • Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels refer to the amount of oxygen-containing molecules in a cell that are highly reactive and can damage biological molecules.
• Material used: The spherical-shaped vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanozymes were the most efficient.
  • These materials mimic a natural antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase to reduce oxidative stress.
• Applications– Nanozymes have a large range of applications for diagnostic medicine, targeted therapy, and biosensing.