Multifunctional Inorganic Hybrid Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The project description as detailed by Dr Ong aims to design novel inorganic hybrid nanomaterials that have potential for the targeted delivery and controlled release of high amounts of therapeutic cargoes at diseased sites, and with built-in capabilities for easy monitoring of treatment response and/or photothermal enhancement of therapeutic effects. This project will involve the synthesis and characterisation of these novel inorganic hybrid nanoparticles with varying size, shape and chemical functionalities, as well as the evaluation of their biological safety and efficacy in addressing key global health challenges such as cancer therapy or antimicrobial resistance.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Zhan Yuin Ong (Primary Supervisor) | |
| George Newham (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509681/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1950982 | Studentship | EP/N509681/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | George Newham |
| Description | In the course of the project to date a new synthetic protocol for porous silica nanoparticles has been developed offering several key advantages over currently used methods. The newly developed technique uses biocompatible reagents in a simple and reproducible synthesis also allowing ease of access to a previously challenging size range. Through the judicious choice of template and synthesis reagents the particles include intrinsic drug loading and cancer targeting functionality without the need for post-synthesis functionalisation steps (as is commonly the case) presenting a realistic candidate for clinical translation. The system has been employed in experiments for the targeted delivery of cancer therapeutics to brain cancer tissues demonstrating enhanced uptake in tumorigenic cells over non-cancerous cells. |
| Exploitation Route | The new synthetic pathway developed in this research opens a wealth of exciting research questions with many avenues and facets yet to be explored. The relationship between key synthesis parameters and the final particle properties may be further developed by academic researchers and are of great importance to the field of nanoparticle synthesis and their application to the medical field. Following further development this research also shows great potential for advancement into clinical work, in which case the ideas and techniques could be taken forward by industrial specialists. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |