OCI''s Dr. Gang Zheng''s exciting new findings regarding the development of a new biodegradable nanoparticle (porphysome) were highlighted in this month''s issue of Nature Methods.

The original findings, published in Nature Materials in March 2011, reported the creation of a biodegradable nanoparticle (called a ''porphysome'') —a tiny particle with novel properties—that was made of the natural pigment porphyrin. The organic nature of these particles allow them to be loaded with dyes or drugs for use in therapy or medical imaging. "We got the components from nature" says Dr. Zheng. "We got the porphyrin from algae that you can actually find in a health-food store." To find out more, read the feature online.