CAREER:Towards engineering transport properties of nanoparticles for magnetically-mediated hyperthermia applications

该奖项由2009年美国复苏和再投资法案(公法111-5)资助。磁热纳米颗粒被广泛考虑用于癌症热疗研究。然而，目前的努力要么集中在开发新的磁性纳米粒子，要么评估其治疗效果，而对控制热产生和散热的物理机制和关键参数缺乏明确的了解。智力上的优点。将确定控制纳米颗粒悬浮液在磁加热下产生和散热的关键参数。其中重点研究的是应用在纳米粒子上的分子涂层，以及它们对产热速率和温升的影响。将开发发电的理论模型，以考虑以前被忽视的影响，如颗粒之间的相互作用。将对生物系统(细胞培养)进行调查，以评估细胞外和细胞介质可能改变纳米颗粒加热效率的程度。这些研究将显示纳米颗粒在细胞内的定位(即在细胞核内相对于细胞膜上的脂筏)如何影响细胞死亡率。基于表现出超顺磁性行为的功能化金基纳米粒子的新系统被研究用于热疗应用。将探索分子热管的新概念，以确定生物结合纳米颗粒系统中热传输的工程化潜力。更广泛的影响。这项研究将推动磁介导癌热疗领域的发展，并可能导致新的生物医学程序，如分子外科和基于纳米颗粒的基因治疗。此外，还将开发一门以磁性纳米颗粒及其在医学中的应用为重点的课程，采用基于探究的学习方法。一系列的外联活动，包括为本科生提供的国际和研究经验，为教师提供的暑期研究经验，以及为高中生举办的演讲和实践活动，将旨在增加未被充分代表的群体在科学和工程领域的参与。

0846433Borca-TasciucThis award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).Magnetically heated nanoparticles are considered extensively in cancer hyperthermia research. However, current efforts are focused either on developing new magnetic nanoparticles or assessing their therapeutic effects, without a clear understanding of the physical mechanisms and key parameters that control heat generation and dissipation. Intellectual merit. Key parameters controlling heat generation and dissipation in nanoparticle suspensions subjected to magnetic heating will be identified. Among the focal points of the study are the molecular coatings applied to the nanoparticles, and their effect on heat generation rate and temperature rise. Theoretical models for power generation will be developed to account for effects previously neglected such as interactions between particles. Biological systems (cell cultures) will be investigated in order to assess the degree to which extracellular and cellular media may change the heating efficiency of nanoparticles. These studies will show how nanoparticle positioning within the cell (i.e. within the nucleus versus the lipid raft on the cell membrane) affects cell death rate. New systems, based on functionalized gold-based nanoparticles which exhibit superparamagnetic behavior, are investigated for hyperthermia applications. A novel concept of molecular heat pipes will be explored to determine the potential of engineering the heat transport in bioconjugated nanoparticle systems. Broader impact. This research will advance the field of magnetically-mediated cancer hyperthermia and may lead to novel biomedical procedures such as molecular surgery and nanoparticle based gene therapy. Moreover, a course focused on magnetic nanoparticles and their applications in medicine will be developed, employing an inquiry based learning methodology. A series of outreach activities, including international and research experiences for undergraduate students, summer research experiences for teachers, as well as presentations and hands on activities for high school students, will target increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in science and engineering.