Magnetic and fluorescent mesoporous silica nanorods towards liver theranostic uses

By Jan Grzelak, from the Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites (NN) Group at ICMAB-CSIC

Date: Friday 22 October 2021
Time: 11:00 am
Venue: ICMAB Seminar Room "Carles Miravitlles" and online session by Zoom. Register here to attend by Zoom.

Abstract: In recent years, mesoporous silica nanoparticles have been widely studied in nanomedicine as nanocarriers for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, most of the research has focused on spherical particles, whereas the effect of the particle shape on the  toxicity, cell uptake and biodistribution has been marginally investigated. We hypothesize that mesoporous silica-based nanomaterials with rod-like morphology could present high liver accumulation and could be used as liver-targeting agents to treat hepatic pathologies. In particular, for the early diagnosis and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has a high and ever-increasing global prevalence. In this dissertation, I synthesized and extensively characterized mesoporous silica rods of well-defined sizes and two distinct aspect ratios. The rods were endowed with different surface charges, functional imaging moieties and a potential therapeutic capability. I studied the toxicity, cell uptake and biodistribution of the rods using in vitro and in vivo models, assessed the imaging potential of the rods using two techniques and observed their high accumulation in the liver.

Supervisors:

• Anna Roig, from the Nanocomposites and Nanoparticles (NN) group, ICMAB-CSIC
• Martí Gich, from the Nanocomposites and Nanoparticles (NN) group, ICMAB-CSIC

PhD Committee:

• President: Marianne Impéror, Université Paris Saclay, France
• Secretary: Gregori Casals Mercadal, Hospital Clínic, Spain
• Vocal: Ana Espinosa de los Monteros Royo, IMDEA Nanociencia, Spain

University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
PhD Programme: Materials Science