Development of theranostic self-assemblies based on quantum dots and ferrocene

Abstract

This project is associated with FAPESP doctorate fellowship process number 2017/16074-4. In recent years, innovation in pharmaceutical research focuses on the development of theranostic systems, which combine two functions: one diagnostic and other therapeutic, thanks to the simultaneous incorporation into nanosystems of therapeutic and image agents. The aim of this project is, during the internship in the French laboratory, the development of new anti-cancer vectors, in which the active ingredient ferrocene (p-54) is itself the vector, and with the polyarginine peptide (Arg (7)), are formed the self-assemblies of Arg (7)-p54. After that, the addition of diagnostic functions into self-assemblies will be provided by incorporating imaging agents, such as Quantum Dots (Qdots) enriched with Mn and/or Gd. The first step of experimental work will be synthesized the Qdots and couple them with nanoassemblies of Arg (7)-p54. After development, the magnetic and optical properties will be evaluated, followed by the stability investigation of theranostic nanoassemblies in biological media. The MINT laboratory has a multidisciplinary team composed of chemists, physicists, pharmacists and engineers who are mainly dedicated to the development of nanostructured systems for the treatment of cancer. In this way, the expertise, in addition to the range of equipment available, are extremely important for the realization of the present project, resulting in gains in the knowledge frontier. Dr Laurent Lamaire (Senior Research Engineer at MINT laboratory, Université d´Angers) was chosen as responsible for this internship due to his strong expertise in characterization of nanosystems and in imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance and fluorescence. Dr Laurent Lemaire has been leading several projects related to the development of materials for diagnostic and treatment of cancer, including with collaborated with our research group. In this way, the collaboration with MINT laboratory is important to the development of this project, and therefore, many scientific gains are expected.