Bacteria ferry nanoparticles into cells for early diagnosis, treatment

This graphic depicts bacteria laden with "smart nanoparticles," which could carry genes, drugs, nanosensors or other cargo into the interior of cells. Researchers at Purdue University have shown that the nanoparticles could be used to precisely position cargo inside cells for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases. The green and red spheres represent drug-carrying polystyrene nanoparticles of varying sizes. (Purdue University, Discovery Park)