Future-oriented: A team of researchers at Northwestern University wanted to harness melanin’s many talents against neurotoxins, a class of dangerous organic chemicals. The newly designed facility is based on nature and could represent an effective “antidote” to one of the most problematic legacies of the Second World War.
Researchers developed a melanin-inspired nanotechnology designed to protect people who work near neurotoxins and other dangerous chemicals of the same type. This “allomelanin” compound offers many of the same benefits as natural melanin and should be easy to embed as a dye into a variety of fibers.
Nanotechnology is described in a study recently published in the journal ACS Nano. The study describes a “catalytic porous metallized melanin for the remediation of organophosphorus.”
Organophosphorus chemicals form the basis for nerve agents and other dangerous compounds. As the CDC explains, neurotoxins – or nerve gases – are chemicals designed to disrupt the signals traveling through the nervous system. They are toxic and can damage a person’s nervous system to such an extent that they can no longer control their heart muscles or breathing.
Originally developed as powerful pesticides, nerve agents were stockpiled during World War II and have been used in conflicts since. Known nerve agents include sarin, cyclosarin, tabun and the Russian VX variant (VR).
In the new study, Northwestern researchers attempted to mimic nature’s mechanisms that destroy and ultimately break down the organophosphorus chemicals used in neurotoxins. Melanin emerged as a natural candidate because it is porous enough to absorb the toxic compounds.
The team added a zirconium-based cluster to the naturally porous material. The allomelanin absorbs the toxic chemicals while the zirconium destroys them. The allomelanin is renewable, biodegradable and can be embedded as a pigment in tactical clothing or gloves used by farmers.
The scientists explained that allomelanin nanoparticles can counteract neurotoxins by reducing both the amount and potency of the toxic compounds. The developed pigment reduced the toxic byproduct by 50% within 10 minutes.
Just like natural melanin, allomelanin becomes even more efficient at breaking down the compounds when sunlight comes into play.
According to Nathan Gianneschi, a corresponding author of the study, his group has been working on melanin and its natural abilities for more than 12 years. As new nanotechnology shows, the biopigment can still learn lessons for next-generation nanotechnology applications.
