U.S. Egypt Cooperative Research: Surface Modification and Size Dependence of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

本研究旨在探讨磁性纳米粒子（MNP）的尺寸、形状和表面修饰对磁共振成像（MRI）、组织工程、热疗、基因和药物传递等生物医学应用的影响。美国PI将与埃及国家研究中心（NRC）的Emad Girgis博士合作。智力优势：在该项目中，PI将合成不同尺寸和形状的MNP，并进行表面改性以用于体内应用。将使用FESEM、TEM和XRD分析来研究颗粒直径和结构。在室温下，使用振动样品磁强计测量MNP的磁性。在惰性气氛下，以天然高分子淀粉为载体，采用化学胶体法制备平均粒径为5-10 nm的MNP。为了提高纳米粒子在水中的分散能力，并保持其超顺磁性，纳米粒子的表面将被配位剂处理。制备的磁性纳米粒子将被淀粉、葡聚糖、PEG、MPEG或可聚合脂质体包裹，以扩展其在纳米生物医学各个领域的应用潜力。在将磁性纳米粒子用于生物医学应用之前，我们将研究磁性纳米粒子的遗传毒性，以优化表面修饰工艺。寻找无或最小遗传毒性的MNP是本项目的最终目标。该项目的结果不仅将改变我们对MNP的遗传毒性和表面修饰之间关系的理解，而且还为设计用于许多生物技术和生物医学应用的新型纳米颗粒和涂层材料提供了关键的指导方针。更广泛的影响：博士后学生将积极参与项目，并将有机会在项目期间前往埃及进行国际研究。 PI打算与工业研究人员合作，并将研究结果发布在其网站（http：//www.example.com）上，供广泛访问。wilhelmy.lci.kent.edu拟议的研究将纳入教育和推广计划。在研究生阶段，美国PI将在KSU提供的新课程中提供研究方法和结果。在本课程中，研究生将获得广泛的接触软物质和生物材料，并将有充分的机会获得实验室演示的教学经验。埃及和美国团队合作的成果可能对磁共振成像（MRI）、基因和药物输送应用有用。该项目由美国-埃及联合基金计划资助，该计划为两国的科学家和工程师提供赠款，以进行合作研究。

This proposal is to investigate effects of size, shape and surface modification of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), which have been used in biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), tissue engineering, hyperthermia, and gene and drug delivery. The US PI will be collaborating with Dr. Emad Girgis at the National Research Centre (NRC) in Egypt.Intellectual Merit: In this project, the PIs will synthesize MNPs of different sizes and shapes and surface modification for in-vivo applications. The particle diameter and structure will be investigated using FESEM, TEM, and XRD analyses. The magnetic properties of the MNPs will be measured at room temperature using vibrating samples magnetometer. MNPs with a mean size of 5-10 nm will be prepared under inert atmosphere, with support of natural polymeric starch, by using chemical colloidal method. The surface of MNPs will be treated with a coordinatable agent for higher dispersion ability in water and retaining the superparamagnetic property. The prepared magnetic nanoparticles will be coated with starch, dextran, PEG, MPEG or polymerizable liposomes to extend their application potential in various fields of nano biomedicine. Before using the magnetic nanoparticles in biomedicine applications, we will investigate the genotoxicity of the MNPs to optimize the surface modification processes. Finding non- or minimal genotoxic MNPs is the final goal of this project. The results from this project will not only transform our understanding on the relationship between the genotoxicity and the surface modification on MNPs, but also provide pivotal guidelines in designing a new class of nanoparticles and coating materials for numerous biotechnology and biomedical applications. Broader Impact: A postdoctoral student will be actively engaged in project and will have an opportunity to travel to Egypt during the project for an international research experience. The PI intends to collaborate with industrial researchers and to publish research results will be published on his website (http://wilhelmy.lci.kent.edu) for broad access. The proposed research will be integrated in educational and outreach programs. At the graduate level, the US PI will accommodate the research methods and results in a new course offering at KSU. In this course, graduate students will gain a broad exposure to soft matter and biomaterials and will have ample opportunities to gain teaching experience in lab demonstrations. Outcomes resulting from this collaborative effort between the Egyptian and US teams may be useful for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), gene and drug delivery applications.The project is funded under the US-Egypt Joint Fund Program, which provides grants to scientists and engineers in both countries to undertake cooperative research.