A major step toward non-viral ocular gene therapy using laser and nanotechnology

(Polytechnique Montréal) Gold nanoparticles, which act like 'nanolenses,' concentrate the energy produced by the extremely short pulse of a femtosecond laser to create a nanoscale incision on the surface of the eye's retina cells. This technology, which preserves cell integrity, can be used to effectively inject drugs or genes into specific areas of the eye, offering new hope to people with glaucoma, retinitis or macular degeneration.