Magnetic nanoparticles for nerve regeneration
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Dundee
Department Name: Division of Imaging & Technology
Abstract
Bioengineering research is exploring molecular and cell therapies alternative to surgical nerve grafting for the treatment of severe peripheral nerve injuries. However, to date there has been no progress of undoubted clinical benefit. The recent advances in nanoscience may provide new therapeutic possibilities as alternatives/supplements to established surgical techniques. Specifically, this project is concerned with the use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as functional nano-objects to enhance the nerve regeneration and provide guidance for the regenerating axons. MNPs could open the frontiers for new therapies based on the exploitation of the mechanical forces acting on MNP-bound neurons to promote axonal elongation/growth. Furthermore, the realization of MNPs functionalised with neurotrophic factors offers distinct possibilities for novel molecular therapy and, when bound to mesenchymal stem cells, MNPs may form the basis for more effective cell therapy.
People |
ORCID iD |
Lijun Wang (Principal Investigator) |
Publications

Calatayud M
(2013)
Neuronal cells loaded with PEI-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles for magnetically guided nerve regeneration
in Journal of Materials Chemistry B

Clarke P
(2013)
The Development of Pot, Atom and Step Economic (PASE) Synthesis of Functionalised Tetrahydropyrans, Dihydropyrans and Piperidines
in Current Organic Chemistry

Hoskins C
(2012)
Dilemmas in the reliable estimation of the in-vitro cell viability in magnetic nanoparticle engineering: which tests and what protocols?
in Nanoscale research letters

Hoskins C
(2012)
Hybrid gold-iron oxide nanoparticles as a multifunctional platform for biomedical application.
in Journal of nanobiotechnology

Hoskins C
(2012)
The cytotoxicity of polycationic iron oxide nanoparticles: common endpoint assays and alternative approaches for improved understanding of cellular response mechanism.
in Journal of nanobiotechnology

Wang L
(2014)
Membrane lipid peroxidation by the peroxidase-like activity of magnetite nanoparticles
in Chem. Commun.

Wang L
(2015)
Evaluation of In-Situ Magnetic Signals from Iron Oxide Nanoparticle-Labeled PC12 Cells by Atomic Force Microscopy.
in Journal of biomedical nanotechnology