Development and characterization of nanoparticulate biomaterials for therapeutic and diagnostic applications in medicine

Abstract

This is the visiting professor's activity plan entitled "Development and Characterization of Nanoparticulate Biomaterials for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications in Medicine" for the coming of researcher Dr. Tamer M. Hafez Sakr, professor at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (Egypt). All the activities will be performed at IPEN/CNEN, more specifically at the Center of Chemistry and Environment. The projects that should count with the expertise of Dr. Tamer are entitled as follows: 1. Development of gold nanoparticle for therapy and diagnostics of cancer using green nanotechnology (doctorate CAPES). 2. Comparative study of different methodologies for nanogel synthesis as potential drug carriers (doctorate CNPq). 3. Advanced, low-cost and highly absorbent patches based on hydrogel with silver nanoparticles (financed by IPEN/ Sibratecnano); 4. Nanostructured systems based on proteins induced by radiation as chemotherapeutics carriers (post doctorate Fapesp); 5. Tumor ablation using ionizing radiation and Pd and Au nanoparticles in melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo (post doctorate Fapesp); 6. Development of nanostructured systems for the increase of efficacy of chemo- and immunotherapy for bladder cancer (doctorate IPEN/CNEN); 7. Evaluation of radiolabeled protein nanoparticles targeted to breast tumors as potential theranostic agents (doctorate CNPq); Dr. Tamer M. Hafez's research focused on the process of reducing and stabilizing metallic nanoparticles (gold, silver, palladium and iron) using polyphenol-rich natural extracts will contribute to the development of conjugated nanoparticles with natural antioxidant of high-capacity of selectivity and endocytosis. This nanoparticle has application for the treatment of any laminin-expressing inflammatory disease, because these antioxidants have a high affinity for polyphenols. Dr. Tamer also specializes in radiopharmacy, so he may be able to help conjugate radionuclides with the various nanoparticles produced in our group. We are currently working to develop nanohydrogels of different radius of gyration and permeation capacity in the blood-brain barrier. Conjugation with radiopharmaceuticals can help us understand the phenomenon. Dr. Tamer's support will be fundamental in training IPEN staff in the production of Au-198 nanoparticles. This training is essential for the production of Au-198 in Brazil and conducting clinical tests with the Helio Angotti Hospital. The project for the development of advanced hydrogel-based dressings containing silver nanoparticles encounters difficulties in the stability and control of gel cross-linking whenever a drug or protein or metallic nanoparticles, in particular papain or silver nanoparticles, respectively, with antioxidant action and of promotion of polyvinylpyrrolidone degradation reactions are added. Therefore the presence of Dr. tamer will be of paramount importance in project development, especially regarding the stability of nanoparticles during processing and storage. (AU)