NIRT: Magnetically and Thermally Active Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment

摘要提案编号： 0609117标题：NIRT：磁性和热活性纳米粒子用于癌症治疗PI：卡洛斯里纳尔迪机构：波多黎各马亚圭斯大学智力优点：这个建议是在响应纳米科学和工程倡议，NSF 05-610，类别NIRT。本研究的目的是提高对磁性纳米颗粒在外加振荡磁场中诱导癌细胞死亡的机制的基本理解。该方法结合了创新的磁和热活性纳米颗粒的制备，旨在量化细胞死亡和在受控条件下的纳米颗粒和体外人类癌细胞之间的物理化学相互作用的实验，体外人类癌细胞中的颗粒和能量传输的建模和测量，以及用于功能化颗粒和模型脂质双层的聚合物之间的相互作用的模拟。这项研究将有助于开发一种微创的替代癌症治疗方法。参与的学生，包括代表性不足的少数群体，将有机会通过视频会议和共享课程进行互动。将开发教育模块，向K-12学生介绍活性纳米结构在抗癌斗争中的潜力。通过与车轮上的科学教育中心和UPRM-UW材料研究和教育伙伴关系合作，这些模块将在波多黎各广泛传播。通过在所有三个机构提供创新的联合课程，UPRM的西班牙裔本科生和研究生的教育将得到改善，并将在所有三个机构之间建立强有力的招聘机制。

ABSTRACTProposal No.: 0609117Title: NIRT: Magnetically and Thermally Active Nanoparticles for Cancer TreatmentPI: Carlos RinaldiInstitution: University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Intellectual Merit:This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 05-610, category NIRT. The objective of this research is to improve fundamental understanding of the mechanisms by which cancer cell death is induced by magnetic nanoparticles in an applied oscillating magnetic field. The approach combines preparation of innovative magnetically and thermally active nanoparticles, experiments aimed at quantifying cell death and the physicochemical interaction between the nanoparticles and human cancer cells in vitro under controlled conditions, modeling and measurements of particle and energy transport in human cancer cells in vitro, and simulations of the interaction between polymers used to functionalize the particles and a model lipid bilayer. This research will enable the development of an alternative cancer treatment which is minimally invasive. Participating students, including underrepresented minorities, will have the opportunity to interact through videoconferencing and shared courses. Educational modules will be developed to introduce K-12 students to the potential of active nanostructures in the battle against cancer. By partnering with the Science on Wheels Educational Center and the UPRM-UW Partnership for Research and Education in Materials these modules will be widely disseminated in Puerto Rico. By offering innovative joint courses in all three institutions the education of Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students at UPRM will be improved and strong mechanisms for recruiting among all three institutions will be developed.