New Breakthroughs in Lighting Up Cancer Cells to Find and Destroy Cancer
5:35
Grades: 6 - 12
Video Description: New research is successfully using light as a precision weapon against cancer by creating an army of light-triggered nanoparticles to lead the attack. The new strategy is using light as a weapon against cancer cells that have spread deep inside the body in animal studies at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Samuel Achilefu, PhD, the Michel M. Ter-Pogossian Professor of Radiology at the School of Medicine, has proven how this technique can target and attack cancer cells when light emitted from a common cancer imaging agent causes tumors to glow.
Type of Video: Story*
Unique Video ID: Medicine-4**
Quick Ideas for Using the Video:
- Use the video as students engage in a STEM activity related to medical or scientific research or as part of your study of the human body and health.
- Prior to viewing the video, have students brainstorm ways they think light might be useful in battling cancer. Then view the video to see how Dr. Achilefu and his team are using it in their work.
*Story videos employ a narrative form to highlight a topic, location, or practitioner in the area of study.
**The unique Video ID can be used to quickly locate a single video in the ET collection. This search function is designed to let teachers assign students to watch a specific video and have only that video appear as a search result. Just click on Search and choose “By Video ID.” Then type in the Video ID as it appears above. Be sure to include the dash.
