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

本研究旨在研究磁性纳米粒子(MNPs)的大小、形状和表面修饰对其性能的影响。磁性纳米粒子已应用于生物医学领域，如磁共振成像(MRI)、组织工程、热疗、基因和药物输送等。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：在这个项目中，PI将合成不同大小和形状的MNPs，并对其进行表面修饰，用于体内应用。利用扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜和X射线衍射仪对产物的粒径和结构进行了分析。利用振动样品磁强计在室温下测量MNPs的磁性。在惰性气氛中，以天然聚合淀粉为载体，采用化学胶体法制备出平均粒径为5~10 nm的纳米粒子。为了提高MNPs在水中的分散能力并保持其超顺磁性，将用配位剂对其表面进行处理。制备的磁性纳米粒子将被淀粉、葡聚糖、聚乙二醇、聚乙二醇酯或可聚合脂质体包覆，以扩大其在纳米生物医学各个领域的应用潜力。在将磁性纳米颗粒应用于生物医学之前，我们将研究MNPs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MNPs是该项目的最终目标。该项目的结果不仅将改变我们对遗传毒性与MNPs表面修饰之间关系的理解，而且将为设计用于众多生物技术和生物医学应用的新型纳米粒子和涂层材料提供关键指导。更广泛的影响：博士后将积极参与该项目，并将有机会在项目期间前往埃及进行国际研究体验。PI打算与行业研究人员合作，并将研究成果发布在他的网站(http://wilhelmy.lci.kent.edu))上，以供广泛访问。拟议的研究将被整合到教育和推广计划中。在研究生阶段，美国PI将把研究方法和结果纳入KSU的一门新课程。在本课程中，研究生将广泛接触软物质和生物材料，并将有足够的机会在实验演示中获得教学经验。埃及和美国团队的合作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开展合作研究提供赠款。

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.