In response to a latest examine revealed in Nature Communications, UNSW scientists are investigating nanomedicine to develop extra reasonably priced 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 treatment he was utilizing shared traits with herbicides. Like most cancers drugs, agrichemicals are potent substances that may be dangerous if utilized within the mistaken place.
“We don’t wish to overdose; we don’t need the residue, however on the identical time, we want the chemical to succeed in and deal with the issue,” stated Dr. Cong Vu.
Nonetheless, 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 reasonably priced nano-agrochemicals utilizing information from nanomedicine.
The final word objective, in accordance with 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 can assist cotton crops turn into extra drought-resistant.
The corporate just lately 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, resembling altering the dimensions, floor, and composition of nanoparticles containing most cancers drugs, could 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 examine.
In response to 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 usually extra profitable at translocating by way of cells than spherical ones.
Justin Gooding, Professor, Former Supervisor and Research Co-Writer, UNSW
Insights from nanomedicine have the potential to cut back prices, which is the first impediment to innovation in nano-agrochemicals.
Quite 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-Writer, UNSW
Seeds of Inspiration
Dr. Vu claims that rising up in an agricultural space in Vietnam is partly the explanation for the passion 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 a vital function in discovery. “Totally different experiences deliver totally different views,” stated Prof. Gooding.
“Being a part of a college fosters collaboration amongst individuals from all backgrounds, creating an atmosphere the place new concepts can thrive,” stated 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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