If you think about glistening goop that modifies your genes you'd be forgiven of thinking about Ridly Scott's unfathomable Prometheus. But it turns out that something similar exists in reality: moisturiser that can treat ailments on a genetic level!

The Northwestern University has combined dermatology with nanotechnology to treat two forms of skin cancer (melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma). In their research Amy S. Paller, and Chad Mirkin infused a moisturiser with nanoscale-sized drug particles. The drug penetrates the skin barrier, and delivers its therapeutic payload directly to afflicted skin cells. Once at the cellular level the drugs can target the genetic root of the problem, and deactivate the disease causing genes – in effect switching the problem-gene off.

This amazing feat is possible due to the unique structure of the drug particles, a method devised by collaborator Chad Mirkin. The drug particles are nano-sized, about 1,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair, and possess a spherical arrangement. This unique structure allows the nanoparticles to piggyback on natural proteins which easily permeate our skin.

The nanoengineering is only one half of the story. Advances in diagnosing the genetic basis of diseases (known as biomarkers) have also contributed massively to this breakthrough. Amy S. Paller, professor and chair of dermatology at the Feinberg School of Medicine explains that- “We can target our therapy to the drivers of disease, at a level so minute that it can distinguish mutant genes from normal genes”.

The successful results of their research to date is enough to make anyone marvel at the potential for the gene regulation therapy of the future.