Calcium phosphate nanoparticles to detect and treat dental caries
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: Pharmaceutical Sciences
Abstract
Strategic Research Priority: industrial biotechnology technology development and bioimaging
This project comes as a result of recent collaboration between the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and the Dental Institute (King's College London) with Reminova (http://www.reminova.com/). Both academia and company aim to commit to a PhD project that will enhance the training of a PhD student in the area of imaging and delivery of calcium for the remineralisation of carious teeth.
Early data from Thanou lab indicates that teeth decay can be imaged using nanoparticles that fluoresce at the near infrared wavelength using a camera device. The KCL team has designed novel calcium phosphate-based nanoparticles (CPNP) that are around 50nm in diameter with a narrow particle size distribution. It appears that the method of preparation and the surface modification using bisphosphonates and coating agents allows nanoparticle size control. These CPNP nanoparticles have been doped with fluorescent dyes such as FITC dextrans as well as Near Infrared dyes (Cardiogreen). These CPNPs were allowed to diffuse through artificially formed porous enamel from extracted teeth and their fluorescent emission was assessed to monitor CPNP diffusion. The CPNP appear to diffuse through demineralised enamel allowing the labelling of early decay (caries).
Reminova is a start-up company that owns the technology of an advanced and rapid method of remineralisation of enamel, called Electrically Accelerated Enhanced Remineralization (EAER). This uses an electrical current of a few micro Amp, which is too low to cause any physical sensation to the patient in order to accelerate movement of mineral ions back into the enamel, thus rebuilding their levels to normal. The hypothesis is that CPNP will diffuse into early caries lesions and provide the minerals (calcium, phosphate) required for the remineralization to occur. In this project, effects of CPNP on detecting caries and teeth remineralisation using EAER will be investigated.
The project will be providing training to the student in the area of nanomedicine and in particular the preparation of CPNPs as well as a novel physical technique developed by the non-academic partner.
This project comes as a result of recent collaboration between the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and the Dental Institute (King's College London) with Reminova (http://www.reminova.com/). Both academia and company aim to commit to a PhD project that will enhance the training of a PhD student in the area of imaging and delivery of calcium for the remineralisation of carious teeth.
Early data from Thanou lab indicates that teeth decay can be imaged using nanoparticles that fluoresce at the near infrared wavelength using a camera device. The KCL team has designed novel calcium phosphate-based nanoparticles (CPNP) that are around 50nm in diameter with a narrow particle size distribution. It appears that the method of preparation and the surface modification using bisphosphonates and coating agents allows nanoparticle size control. These CPNP nanoparticles have been doped with fluorescent dyes such as FITC dextrans as well as Near Infrared dyes (Cardiogreen). These CPNPs were allowed to diffuse through artificially formed porous enamel from extracted teeth and their fluorescent emission was assessed to monitor CPNP diffusion. The CPNP appear to diffuse through demineralised enamel allowing the labelling of early decay (caries).
Reminova is a start-up company that owns the technology of an advanced and rapid method of remineralisation of enamel, called Electrically Accelerated Enhanced Remineralization (EAER). This uses an electrical current of a few micro Amp, which is too low to cause any physical sensation to the patient in order to accelerate movement of mineral ions back into the enamel, thus rebuilding their levels to normal. The hypothesis is that CPNP will diffuse into early caries lesions and provide the minerals (calcium, phosphate) required for the remineralization to occur. In this project, effects of CPNP on detecting caries and teeth remineralisation using EAER will be investigated.
The project will be providing training to the student in the area of nanomedicine and in particular the preparation of CPNPs as well as a novel physical technique developed by the non-academic partner.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M009513/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
| 1776821 | Studentship | BB/M009513/1 | 01/10/2016 | 23/05/2021 | Jana Javorovic |