Project

Synthesis and surface chemistry of doped hafnium oxide nanocrystals for dual-modality bio-imaging

Code
01CD4322
Duration
01 April 2023 → 30 April 2023
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Solid state chemistry
  • Engineering and technology
    • Multimedia processing not elsewhere classified
    • Biological system engineering not elsewhere classified
    • Signal processing not elsewhere classified
Keywords
computed tomography doping hafnium fluorescence core/shell early transition metal complex Nanocrystal synthesis Surface chemistry Biomedical imaging
 
Project description

Nanomaterials have been considered for a long time to be interesting for medical imaging due to their unique properties, they range from 1-100 nanometers in size, a billion times smaller than a meter. Nanoparticles can be designed in such a way that gives them the ability to perform multiple types of imaging, this is where our research comes into play. In this research proposal we aim to create a product which can (1) target cancer cells, (2) provide contrast for x-ray CT (computed tomography) scans and is fluorescent (visible light). For this task, we have chosen hafnium oxide nanoparticles because they are stable, biocompatible, and very small. Hafnium has a high density, it provides (as shown by our preliminary data) better CT contrast than products currently used in the clinic. To provide the fluorescence functionality, we insert lanthanide atoms within the particle, a process which is referred to as "doping". To protect these atoms from the surrounding environment we will "shell" the particles with another layer of hafnium oxide, you can compare it to protecting food by packaging it. Next, we attach molecules to the surface of the particles that allow the nanoparticles (which are a solid) to behave as large molecules in water. These molecules can be further adjusted to allow the particles to target cancer cells. Finally, we will test their performance on healthy cells, cancer cells, healthy mice and mice with tumors.