RUI: Development of novel surface-modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) for biomedical application as vaccine adjuvants: a descriptive study

纤维素纳米晶体由于其优异的性能和商业化前景而成为一类新型的可再生材料。 纤维素纳米晶体也正在探索用于生物医学应用，包括药物载体和疫苗佐剂。疫苗佐剂是激活我们免疫系统的物质或分子，使疫苗更有效。例如，氢氧化铝，一种颗粒状无机材料，是最常用的疫苗佐剂，因为它具有安全性和有效性的记录。然而，在某些类型的疫苗中，氢氧化铝并不总是最有效的选择。因此，开发具有潜在疫苗佐剂特性的新有机纳米材料将扩大可用系统的数量，以便可以选择它们来为给定疫苗提供最佳结果。 该研究项目涉及设计，开发和表征一系列纤维素纳米晶体，然后确定其安全性和免疫反应。此外，该研究项目正在影响本科生教育，因为他们将直接参与原创研究活动。学生正在接受实验规划和数据收集以及数据解释和研究演示技能的培训。通过这个研究项目提供的体验式学习将使SUNY-Plattsburgh学生在毕业后寻找就业或研究生院的机会时做好更好的准备。在这个项目中，研究人员将开发一个改性阳离子纤维素纳米晶体库，通过在其表面添加带正电的聚合物。这些改性的纤维素纳米晶体将使用光谱，分析和显微镜技术进行表征。将使用哺乳动物细胞作为生物学工具评估这些纳米颗粒的毒性和潜在免疫原性。从细胞培养研究中产生的数据将为未来的动物研究提供坚实的基础，以开发进一步的疫苗佐剂。此外，这些体外研究可以为评估新型生物医学纤维素基纳米材料的体内安全性和生物活性奠定基础。本科生正在彻底融入研究的各个方面，从改性阳离子纤维素纳米晶体的合成和表征到细胞培养技术和免疫原性和毒性测定，以及基因表达，蛋白质分离和鉴定方法。

Cellulose nanocrystals have emerged as a new class of renewable materials for various applications due to their remarkable properties and commercialization prospects. Cellulose nanocrystals are also being explored for biomedical applications, including drug carriers and vaccine adjuvants. Vaccine adjuvants are substances or molecules that activate our immunological system, causing the vaccines to be more effective. For example, aluminum hydroxide, a particulate inorganic material, is the most commonly used vaccine adjuvant, because it has a record of safety and efficacy. However, in some types of vaccines, aluminum hydroxide is not always the most effective choice. Therefore, developing new organic nanomaterials with potential vaccine adjuvant properties will broaden the available number of systems so they can be selected to give the best results for a given vaccine. This research project involves designing, developing, and characterizing a range of cellulose nanocrystals and then determining their safety and immune responses. Additionally, this research project is impacting undergraduate student education, since they will be directly involved in original research activities. Students are being trained on experimental planning and data collection, as well as data interpretation and research presentation skills. The experiential learning provided through this research project would make SUNY-Plattsburgh students better prepared when seeking employment or graduate school opportunities following graduation. In this project, the researchers will develop a library of modified cationic cellulose nanocrystals, by adding positively charged polymers to their surfaces. These modified cellulose nanocrystals will be characterized using spectroscopic, analytical and microscopic techniques. The toxicity and potential immunogenicity of these nanoparticles will be assessed using mammalian cells as a biological tool. The data generated form cell culture studies will provide a solid basis for future animal studies to develop further vaccine adjuvants. Also, these in vitro studies can form a foundation for evaluating the in vivo safety and biological activities of new biomedical cellulose-based nanomaterials. Undergraduate students are being thoroughly integrated into all aspects of the research, from synthesis and characterization of modified cationic cellulose nanocrystals to cell culture techniques and immunogenicity and toxicity assays, as well as gene expression, protein isolation and identification methods.