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Biomimicry Week Danger Decoy
04 July 2013

Danger Decoy

Diverting the enemy's firepower with a decoy is a favourite tactic of soldiers. So, when defending our body from toxic substances, the same strategy can work at a microscopic level. One such toxin infiltrates red blood cells (RBCs) – which are responsible for carrying oxygen around the body – causing them to become porous and die. A thin layer of RBC membrane (dark outer layer in image) wrapped around a synthetic core (light inner area) is attacked in much the same way, but without the damaging effects to the body. As shown in mice, these decoy nanosponges can keep the dangerous substance locked up and away from real RBCs until the liver can safely break it down. Nanosponges like these could provide treatment for a wide variety of chemical threats – from certain bacteria to scorpions and snakes – which all use similar toxins to target their prey.

Written by Jan Piotrowski

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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