The study relies on the science of nanotechnology - the ability to create substances resembling colourful balloons that are the size of molecules (no bigger than 1/1,000,000 the width of a human hair) that could be filled with drugs to deliver medicine to very specific targets (like cancerous tissue ).

The nanoparticles came from two naturally occurring molecules making them an improvement over other types of nanoparticles since they are completely non-toxic and biodegradable and are light-activated when in the body.

The team used a laser to rapidly heat and kill a tumour. Once the nanoparticle hit its tumour target, it became fluorescent to indicate successful targeting of the cancer.

The nanoparticles can also be used for photoacoustic imaging, which combines light and sound to produce a high-resolution image that can be used to target tumours.

“There are many nanoparticles out there, but this one is the complete package," said Zheng, "a kind of one-stop shopping for various types of cancer imaging and treatment options that can now be mixed and matched in ways previously unimaginable. The unprecedented safety of this nanoparticle in the body is the icing on the cake. We are excited by the possibilities for its use in the clinic.”