In accordance with a latest research revealed in Nature Communications, UNSW scientists are investigating nanomedicine to develop extra inexpensive and environmentally pleasant agrichemicals.
Whereas working within the UNSW labs, Dr. Cong Vu had an concept: the tiny particles he was creating to ship drugs to most cancers cells might need one other potential use.
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I spotted, why don’t we use the nanoparticles right here to encapsulate pesticides for farmers?
Dr. Cong Vu, Adjunct Fellow, Faculty of Chemistry, UNSW
Vu noticed that the most cancers remedy he was utilizing shared traits with herbicides. Like most cancers drugs, agrichemicals are potent substances that may be dangerous if utilized within the improper place.
“We don’t wish to overdose; we don’t need the residue, however on the identical time, we’d like the chemical to achieve and deal with the issue,” mentioned Dr. Cong Vu.
Nevertheless, many agribusinesses are unable to afford the event of nanoparticles.
In 2021, Dr. Vu based NanoSoils Bio, a UNSW-based firm, with the intention of creating extra inexpensive nano-agrochemicals utilizing information from nanomedicine.
The last word purpose, in response to Dr. Vu, an Adjunct Fellow at UNSW’s Faculty of Chemistry, is to create merchandise that enhance the supply of fungicides and pesticides, supporting cleaner and extra sustainable farming.
Along with pesticides, NanoSoils is engaged on a undertaking to supply silica nanoparticles that may assist cotton crops change into extra drought-resistant.
The corporate not too long ago submitted its first two patent functions for strategies to optimize nanoparticle effectivity.
Nanomedicine Grounds Rising Analysis
Analysis exploring the potential functions of nanoparticle designs—initially developed to fight most cancers—serves as the muse for Dr. Vu’s work.
Vu defined how design ideas from nanomedicine, equivalent to altering the dimensions, floor, and composition of nanoparticles containing most cancers drugs, may be utilized to focus on and ship agrichemicals in vegetation.
The significance of this crossover is highlighted by Professor Justin Gooding, former supervisor and co-author of the research.
In accordance with Prof. Gooding, nanomedicine has greater than twice as many publications and patents as nano-agriculture.
We’ve demonstrated that we will get nanoparticles of various shapes to focus on diseased cells extra successfully than wholesome ones. For instance, rod-shaped particles are typically extra profitable at translocating by means of cells than spherical ones.
Justin Gooding, Professor, Former Supervisor and Research Co-Creator, UNSW
Insights from nanomedicine have the potential to scale back prices, which is the first impediment to innovation in nano-agrochemicals.
Moderately than ranging from Floor Zero, Dr. Vu is leveraging what we already know to handle urgent points in agriculture and for the atmosphere.
Justin Gooding, Professor, Former Supervisor and Research Co-Creator, UNSW
Seeds of Inspiration
Dr. Vu claims that rising up in an agricultural space in Vietnam is partly the explanation for the keenness for sustainable agriculture.
“When pesticides are sprayed, greater than 90 % of the chemical leaks into the atmosphere. We have to management how pesticides are delivered to pests in order that we reduce hurt to helpful species like bees,” defined Dr. Vu.
Prof. Gooding highlights that range in science performs an important position in discovery. “Completely different experiences convey totally different views,” mentioned Prof. Gooding.
“Being a part of a college fosters collaboration amongst individuals from all backgrounds, creating an atmosphere the place new concepts can thrive,” mentioned Prof. Gooding.
Journal Reference:
Vu Thanh, C., et al. (2025) Studying classes from nano-medicine to enhance the design and performances of nano-agrochemicals. Nature Communications. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57650-8
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