IBM researchers unleash plastic 'ninjas' to fight deadly bacteria
Having discovered that materials could be manipulated at the atomic level to control their movement, IBM researchers used this knowledge to create staph-killing 'ninja polymers' that leave healthy cells alone. They move quickly to target infected cells in the body, destroy the harmful content inside, and then disappear from the body by biodegrading without damaging side effects or accumulating in the organs.
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Meet the researchers
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Jim Hedrick
Polymer Chemist, Advanced Organic
Materials, IBM Research – Almaden -
Bob Allen
Senior Manager, Chemistry/Materials,
IBM Research – Almaden
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