Layer-by-layer quantum dots-based nanotheranostics: combined drug delivery and breast cancer imaging

该项目将使用逐层技术将抗癌药物结合到碳量子点表面，用于成像和治疗目的。该项目将从文献综述开始，以确定合成碳量子点的最佳方法。碳量子点将来自生物质，这些生物质将从可再生资源中获得，如食品或农业废物（坚果壳，咖啡/茶废物）。在选择初始生物质材料时必须仔细考虑;不同的生物质可以改变所得碳量子点的性质。具有高杂原子含量的生物质可以用相应的杂原子掺杂CD。这方面的一个例子是羽毛，它们产生掺杂硫和氮的碳量子点，这导致更高的量子产率。生物质将通过热化学方法（热解、水热、冷等离子体技术或组合）转化为碳量子点。合成将是一个两步反应，产生不需要任何进一步钝化的碳量子点;最初，咖啡渣将被用作碳源。碳量子点将通过以下方法表征：SEM-EDX（尺寸和元素分析）、TEM（尺寸分析）、FTIR（表面分析）、XRD（晶体结构）、UV-Vis（波长发射分析）、光致发光、XPS（元素分析）和拉曼光谱（斯托克斯位移分析）方法。我们在碳量子点中寻找的性能是水溶性，宽斯托克斯位移，高量子产率，窄的和可调的发射波长，抗光漂白和可调的尺寸。单个碳量子点将通过层层组装功能化。将使用工程学院最近开发的设备（图4）。该设备是浸渍和逐层喷涂策略的混合。将用标准抗癌药物（塞来昔布或雷帕霉素，从塞来昔布开始）包埋制成的纳米涂层。将使用FE-SEM对LbL组装件进行形态评估，并通过FTIR和XPS进行化学评估。从逐层功能化中需要的功能性以进行有效的癌症治疗是：对量子点光致发光没有影响或增强影响，靶向癌细胞，在癌细胞内释放药物并且没有有害影响，或者对药物治疗能力的增强影响。将在BIOLAB和BIOFAB实验室的生理条件下使用光谱分析（紫外-可见）监测抗癌药物。将与癌症研究所合作进行初步的体外细胞测试，以测试纳米功能化量子点的效果。在这个项目中，我想回答的问题是：1。合成的碳量子点可以通过逐层过程功能化吗？2.是最好的逐层剂和工艺使用？3.功能化的碳量子点可以用作纳米治疗剂吗？4.什么是最好的抗癌药物使用？

The project will use a layer by layer technique to incorporate anti-cancer drugs to the surface of carbon quantum dots for both imaging and treatment purposes.This project will start with a review of literature to determine the best way to synthesise carbon dots. The carbon dots will originate from biomass that will be obtained from renewable sources such as food or agricultural wastes (nut shells, coffee/tea waste). Careful consideration will have to be taken in choosing the initial biomass material; different biomass can change the properties of the resulting carbon dots. Biomass with high heteroatom content can dope the CD with the respective heteroatom. An example of this is feathers, they produce carbon dots doped with sulphur and nitrogen, this results in higher quantum yield. The biomass will be converted to carbon dots by thermo chemical means (pyrolysis, hydrothermal, cold plasma technology or a combination). The synthesis will be a two-step reaction that produces carbon dots that do not need any further passivation; initially, coffee grounds will be used as the carbon source. The carbon dots will be characterised by; SEM-EDX (size and elemental analysis), TEM (size analysis), FTIR (surface analysis), XRD (crystal structure), UV-Vis (wavelength emission analysis), photoluminescence, XPS (elemental analysis) and Raman Spectroscopy (stokes shift analysis) methods. The properties we are looking for in the carbon dots to make good imaging agents are water solubility, broad stokes shifts, high quantum yield, narrow and tuneable emission wavelength, resistance to photobleaching and tuneable size.Single carbon quantum dots will then be functionalised by a layer by layer assembly. Recently developed equipment by the school of engineering will be used (Fig 4). The equipment is hybrid of dipping and spray layer by layer strategies. The nanocoated created will be embedded with standard anticancer drugs (celecoxib or rapamycin, starting with celecoxib). The LbL assemblies will be assessed morphologically using FE-SEM and chemically by FTIR and XPS. The functionality that is needed from the layer by layer functionalisation to make an effective treatment for cancer are: no effect or an enhancing effect on the quantum dot photoluminescence, targeting for cancer cells, release of the drug inside the cancer cell and no detrimental effect, or, an enhancing effect on drug treatment capabilities. The anti-cancer drugs will be monitored in physiological conditions at the BIOLAB and BIOFAB laboratories by using spectroscopy analyses (UV-Vis). Preliminary in vitro cell tests on testing the effects of the nano-functionalised quantum dots will be performed in collaboration with the Cancer Institute. The questions that I wish to answer in this project are:1. Can the carbon quantum dot synthesised be functionalised via a layer by layer process? 2. Was is the best layer by layer agent and process to use?3. Can the functionalised carbon dots be used as a nanotheranostic agent?4. What is the best anti-cancer drug to use?