Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Dual Functional Magnetic Nanoparticles Conjugated With Carbon Quantum Dots For Hyperthermia And Photodynamic Therapy For Cancer, Mounika Choppadandi, Kondi Soumya, Sumanta Ghosh, Aishwarya Balu, Tanvi Shingote, Srivalliputtur Sarath Babu, Vani Sai Prasanna, Somasundaram Arumugam, Ravichandiran Velyutham, Murali M. Yallapu, Govinda Kapusetti

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

The global incidence of cancer continues to rise, posing a significant public health concern. Although numerous cancer therapies exist, each has limitations and complications. The present study explores alternative cancer treatment approaches, combining hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and amine-functionalized carbon quantum dots (A-CQDs) were synthesized separately and then covalently conjugated to form a single nanosystem for combinational therapy (M-CQDs). The successful conjugation was confirmed using zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and UV-visible spectroscopy. Morphological examination in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further verified the conjugation of CQDs with MNPs. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) revealed …

Multimodal Neuro-Nanotechnology: Challenging The Existing Paradigm In Glioblastoma Therapy, Sergej Kudruk, Connor M Forsyth, Michelle Z Dion, Jenny K Hedlund Orbeck, Jingqin Luo, Robyn S Klein, Albert H Kim, Amy B Heimberger, Chad A Mirkin, Alexander H Stegh, Natalie Artzi

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Integrating multimodal neuro- and nanotechnology-enabled precision immunotherapies with extant systemic immunotherapies may finally provide a significant breakthrough for combatting glioblastoma (GBM). The potency of this approach lies in its ability to train the immune system to efficiently identify and eradicate cancer cells, thereby creating anti-tumor immune memory while minimizing multi-mechanistic immune suppression. A critical aspect of these therapies is the controlled, spatiotemporal delivery of structurally defined nanotherapeutics into the GBM tumor microenvironment (TME). Architectures such as spherical nucleic acids or poly(beta-amino ester)/dendrimer-based nanoparticles have shown promising results in preclinical models due to their multivalency and abilities to activate antigen-presenting cells …

Levofloxacin Incorporated Extracellular Matrix Nanoparticles For Pulmonary Cystic Fibrosis Infections, Raahi Patel

Theses and Dissertations

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive genetic disorder that affects around 40,000 people in the United States. CF is characterized by a mutation in the CFTR protein that causes dysregulated ion transport across epithelial cells, producing viscous mucus in the lung that increases bacterial invasion, causing persistent infections and subsequent inflammation. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two of the most common infections in CF patients that are resistant to antibiotics. One antibiotic approved to treat these infections is levofloxacin (LVX) that functions to inhibit bacterial replication, but can be further developed into tailorable particles. Nanoparticles are an emerging inhaled …

An Ngqd Based Diagnostic Tool For Pancreatic Cancer, Ryan Ketan Ajgaonkar, Bong Lee, Alina Valimukhametova, Anton Naumov, Giridhar Akkaraju

Research Symposium

Background: Pancreatic cancer remains difficult to detect at early stages which contributes to a poor five-yearsurvival rate. Therefore, early detection approaches based on novel technologies should be explored to address this critical health issue. Nanomaterials have recently emerged as frontrunners for diagnostic applications due to their small size in the 1-100 nm range, which facilitates one-on-one interactions with a variety of biomolecules like oligonucleotides and makes them suitable for a plethora of detection and delivery applications. In this work, the presence of specific pancreatic cancer miRNA (pre-miR-132) is detected utilizing the fluorescence properties of highly biocompatible nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots …

Color Stability, Physical Properties And Antifungal Effects Of Zro2 Additions To Experimental Maxillofacial Silicones: Comparisons With Tio2, Mazen Alkahtany, Mark W. Beatty, Fahd Alsalleeh, Thomas M. Petro, Bobby Simetich, You Zhou, Dennis Feely, Grigoris Polyzois

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

(1) Background: Color changes, physical degradation, and fungal infections are challenges to the longevity of maxillofacial polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers. This study aimed to evaluate color changes, physical properties, and antifungal properties of PDMS loaded with ZrO₂ and TiO₂ submicron- and nano-sized particles. (2) Methods: A 1% weight of 40 nm or 200 nm diameter ZrO₂ or TiO₂ nanoparticles was mixed into PDMS with 2% functional intrinsic yellow pigment and polymerized. Control materials contained 13% weight 200 nm silica. Samples were exposed to 3000 h of UVB radiation (200 μW/cm²) or darkness. Color parameters L*a*b* …

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (Sln): Formulation And Fabrication, Gabriella F. Punu, Yahdiana Harahap, Qonita Kurnia Anjani, Pietradewi Hartrianti, Ryan F. Donnelly, Delly Ramadon

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have emerged as a novel drug delivery system and have been utilized for delivering various kinds of drugs since the 1990s. These particles may consist of multiple solid lipids, including glycerides, waxes, and fatty acids, and can be stabilized by a wide range of surfactants. SLN have garnered significant attention from researchers due to its innovative and versatile nature. Moreover, such delivery system has numerous advantages over traditional colloidal carriers, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and emulsions. Several research groups have been developing SLN formulations and fabrication techniques based on their intended purpose, and this research …

Effect Of Nanoparticle Weight On The Cellular Uptake And Drug Delivery Potential Of Plga Nanoparticles, Prabhat Kattel, Shoukath Sulthana, JiřÍ Trousil, Dinesh Shrestha, David Pearson, Santosh Aryal

Pharmacy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) stand out as a key tool for improving drug bioavailability, reducing the inherent toxicity, and targeting the intended site. Most importantly, the ease of polymer synthesis and its derivatization to add functional properties makes them potentially ideal to fulfill the requirements for intended therapeutic applications. Among many polymers, US FDA-approved poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) is a widely used biocompatible and biodegradable co-polymer in drug delivery and in implantable biomaterials. While many studies have been conducted using PLGA NPs as a drug delivery system, less attention has been given to understanding the effect of NP weight …

Nanoparticle Approaches For The Renin-Angiotensin System, Sajini D. Hettiarachchi, Young M. Kwon, Yadollah Omidi, Robert C. Speth

HPD Articles

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a hormonal cascade that contributes to several disorders: systemic hypertension, heart failure, kidney disease, and neurodegenerative disease. Activation of the RAS can promote inflammation and fibrosis. Drugs that target the RAS can be classified into 3 categories, AT1 angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and renin inhibitors. The therapeutic efficacy of current RAS-inhibiting drugs is limited by poor penetration across the blood-brain barrier, low bioavailability, and to some extent, short half-lives. Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery systems (DDSs) are possible emerging alternatives to overcome such limitations. Nanoparticles are ideally 1-100 nm in size and are …

Peptide-Based Nanoparticles For Systemic Extrahepatic Delivery Of Therapeutic Nucleotides, Samuel A Wickline, Kirk K Hou, Hua Pan

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Peptide-based nanoparticles (PBN) for nucleotide complexation and targeting of extrahepatic diseases are gaining recognition as potent pharmaceutical vehicles for fine-tuned control of protein production (up- and/or down-regulation) and for gene delivery. Herein, we review the principles and mechanisms underpinning self-assembled formation of PBN, cellular uptake, endosomal release, and delivery to extrahepatic disease sites after systemic administration. Selected examples of PBN that have demonstrated recent proof of concept in disease models in vivo are summarized to offer the reader a comparative view of the field and the possibilities for clinical application.

Exploring The Potential Of Nanotechnology In Pediatric Healthcare: Advances, Challenges, And Future Directions., Hossein Omidian, Kwadwo Mfoafo

HPD Articles

The utilization of nanotechnology has brought about notable advancements in the field of pediatric medicine, providing novel approaches for drug delivery, disease diagnosis, and tissue engineering. Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of materials at the nanoscale, resulting in improved drug effectiveness and decreased toxicity. Numerous nanosystems, including nanoparticles, nanocapsules, and nanotubes, have been explored for their therapeutic potential in addressing pediatric diseases such as HIV, leukemia, and neuroblastoma. Nanotechnology has also shown promise in enhancing disease diagnosis accuracy, drug availability, and overcoming the blood-brain barrier obstacle in treating medulloblastoma. It is important to acknowledge that while nanotechnology offers significant opportunities, there …

Recent Innovations And Technological Advancements In Dentistry And Medicine, Karthik Rajaram Mohan, Saramma Mathew Fenn, Ravikumar Pethagounder Thangavelu

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

The newer innovations play an important role in the earlier diagnosis of dental caries based on near-infrared transillumination imaging such as Diagnocam and Soprocare intraoral digital cameras, which aid in the diagnosis of dental caries and also differentiate old and newer dental plaques, respectively. Nanoparticles used as carriers for effective and targeted drug therapies in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and candidiasis among chronic denture wearers provided better-increased bioavailability than oral formulations. Artificial intelligence (AI) uses machines to simulate intelligent human behavior. Augmented reality has been presented as a cognitive extension of AI in health …

A Ferritin Nanoparticle-Based Zika Virus Vaccine Candidate Induces Robust Humoral And Cellular Immune Responses And Protects Mice From Lethal Virus Challenge, Aryamav Pattnaik, Bikash R. Sahoo, Lucas R. Struble, Gloria E. O. Borgstahl, You Zhou, Rodrigo Franco, Raul G. Barletta, Fernando A. Osorio, Thomas M. Petro, Asit K. Pattnaik

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The severe consequences of the Zika virus (ZIKV) infections resulting in congenital Zika syndrome in infants and the autoimmune Guillain–Barre syndrome in adults warrant the development of safe and efficacious vaccines and therapeutics. Currently, there are no approved treatment options for ZIKV infection. Herein, we describe the development of a bacterial ferritin-based nanoparticle vaccine candidate for ZIKV. The viral envelope (E) protein domain III (DIII) was fused in-frame at the amino-terminus of ferritin. The resulting nanoparticle displaying the DIII was examined for its ability to induce immune responses and protect vaccinated animals upon lethal virus challenge. Our results show that …

Indocyanine Green-Based Glow Nanoparticles Probe For Cancer Imaging, Neeraj Chauhan, Marco A. Cabrera, Pallabita Chowdhury, Prashanth K.B. Nagesh, Anupam Dhasmana, Fnu Pranav, Meena Jaggi, Subhash C. Chauhan, Murali M. Yallapu

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Indocyanine green (ICG) is one of the FDA-approved near infra-red fluorescent (NIRF) probes for cancer imaging and image-guided surgery in the clinical setting. However, the limitations of ICG include poor photostability, high concentration toxicity, short circulation time, and poor cancer cell specificity. To overcome these hurdles, we engineered a nanoconstruct composed of poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)-indocyanine green that is cloaked self-assembled with tannic acid (termed as indocyanine green-based glow nanoparticles probe, ICG-Glow NPs) for the cancer cell/tissue-specific targeting. The self-assembled ICG-Glow NPs were confirmed by spherical nanoparticles formation (DLS and TEM) and spectral analyses. The NIRF imaging characteristic of ICG-Glow …

Rapamycin Perfluorocarbon Nanoparticle Mitigates Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury, Qingyu Zhou, James D Quirk, Ying Hu, Huimin Yan, Joseph P Gaut, Christine T N Pham, Samuel A Wickline, Hua Pan

2020-Current year OA Pubs

For nearly five decades, cisplatin has played an important role as a standard chemotherapeutic agent and been prescribed to 10-20% of all cancer patients. Although nephrotoxicity associated with platinum-based agents is well recognized, treatment of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury is mainly supportive and no specific mechanism-based prophylactic approach is available to date. Here, we postulated that systemically delivered rapamycin perfluorocarbon nanoparticles (PFC NP) could reach the injured kidneys at sufficient and sustained concentrations to mitigate cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury and preserve renal function. Using fluorescence microscopic imaging and fluorine magnetic resonance imaging/spectroscopy, we illustrated that rapamycin-loaded PFC NP permeated and …

Brief Review: Applications Of Nanocomposite In Electrochemical Sensor And Drugs Delivery, Zia Ul Haq Khan, Taj Malook Khan, Amjad Khan, Noor Samad Shah, Nawshad Muhammad, Kamran Tahir, Jibran Iqbal, Abdur Rahim, Syed Khasim, Iftikhar Ahmad, Khadija Shabbir, Noor Shad Gul, Jianbo Wu

All Works

The recent advancement of nanoparticles (NPs) holds significant potential for treating various ailments. NPs are employed as drug carriers for diseases like cancer because of their small size and increased stability. In addition, they have several desirable properties that make them ideal for treating bone cancer, including high stability, specificity, higher sensitivity, and efficacy. Furthermore, they might be taken into account to permit the precise drug release from the matrix. Drug delivery systems for cancer treatment have progressed to include nanocomposites, metallic NPs, dendrimers, and liposomes. Materials’ mechanical strength, hardness, electrical and thermal conductivity, and electrochemical sensors are significantly improved …

Interactions Between Silica And Titanium Nanoparticles And Oral And Gastrointestinal Epithelia: Consequences For Inflammatory Diseases And Cancer, Cassio Luiz Coutinho Almeida-Da-Silva, Leticia Ferreira Cabido, Wei Chun Chin, Ge Wang, David M. Ojcius, Changqing Li

All Dugoni School of Dentistry Faculty Articles

Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) composed of elements such as silica and titanium, smaller than 100 nm in diameter and their aggregates, are found in consumer products such as cosmetics, food, antimicrobials and drug delivery systems, and oral health products such as toothpaste and dental materials. They may also interact accidently with epithelial tissues in the intestines and oral cavity, where they can aggregate into larger particles and induce inflammation through pathways such as inflammasome activation. Persistent inflammation can lead to precancerous lesions. Both the particles and lesions are difficult to detect in biopsies, especially in clinical settings that screen large numbers …

Cell-Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles For Targeted Drug Delivery To The Brain For The Treatment Of Neurological Diseases, Jianzhuang Li, Yanhao Wei, Chunlin Zhang, Rentang Bi, Yanmei Qiu, Yanan Li, Bo Hu

Journal Articles

Neurological diseases (NDs) are a significant cause of disability and death in the global population. However, effective treatments still need to be improved for most NDs. In recent years, cell-membrane-coated nanoparticles (CMCNPs) as drug-targeting delivery systems have become a research hotspot. Such a membrane-derived, nano drug-delivery system not only contributes to avoiding immune clearance but also endows nanoparticles (NPs) with various cellular and functional mimicries. This review article first provides an overview of the function and mechanism of single/hybrid cell-membrane-derived NPs. Then, we highlight the application and safety of CMCNPs in NDs. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in …

Evaluation Of Selenomethionine Entrapped In Nanoparticles For Oral Supplementation Using In Vitro, Ex Vivo And In Vivo Models, Shane Forde, Giuliana Vozza, David J. Brayden, Jesus Maria Frias, Sinead M. Ryan

Articles

Selenium methionine (Se Met) is an essential micronutrient required for normal body function and is associated with additional health benefits. However, oral administration of Se Met can be challenging due to its purported narrow therapeutic index, low oral bioavailability, and high susceptibility to oxidation. To address these issues, Se Met was entrapped in z e i n-coated nanoparticles made from chitosan using an ionic gelation formulation. The high stability of both the Se Met and s e l e n o methionine nanoparticles (Se Met-NPs) was established using cultured human intestinal and liver epithelial cells, rat liver homogenates, and rat …

Nanoparticles In Dentistry ; A Review, Pallavi Nambiar, Priyanka Paul Madhu Mds, Amit Reche Mds, Shambhavi Subodh Moharil

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Nanotechnology finds frequent application in everyday life, particularly in the field of medicine. Due to the capabilities of nanotechnology, examining and manipulating atoms, chemical bonds , and molecules between substances is a relatively straightforward task. When applied in the field of dentistry it is referred to as “nano dentistry”. Nanoparticles which are believed to possess superior efficacy, find significant usage in dentistry, primarily in the prevention and treatment of oral disorders, as well as the maintenance of good oral health and hygiene. Nanoparticles possess distinct characteristics such as their surface to volume ratio, antimicrobial activity, physical, mechanical and biological properties, …

Gold Nanoparticles And Liposomal Nanocarriers For Drug Delivery In Cancers, Ari Cogswell, Sylvia Guillet

Undergraduate Research Awards

Cancers are a complex range of diseases that are universally characterized by uncontrolled cell growth that often manifest as malignant tumors. Worldwide, they are the second leading cause of death. The most prevalent current treatments, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, indiscriminately damage both cancerous cells and healthy cells. This results in an abundance of short-term and long-term complications, which can kill the patient before killing the tumor. This illustrates the need for more targeted, effective treatments with fewer adverse effects on healthy tissue, and the use of both organic and inorganic nanoparticles is among the most promising solutions (Yang et. al., 2022). …

Biomimetic Copper-Doped Polypyrrole Nanoparticles For Enhanced Cancer Low-Temperature Photothermal Therapy, Hao Chen, Xi Luo, Wei Cai, Shile Wang, Jingfeng Xiang, Zeming Liu, Daoming Zhu

Journal Articles

INTRODUCTION: Photothermal therapy (PTT) has a significant potential for its application in precision tumour therapy. However, PTT-induced hyperthermia may damage healthy tissues and trigger the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs), thereby compromising the long-term therapeutic efficacy of PTT.

METHODS: In this study, a biomimetic drug delivery system comprising CuP nanozymes as the inner core and platelet membrane (PM) as the outer shell was successfully developed for administering synergistic chemodynamic therapy and mild PTT. PM is encapsulated on CuP to form this biomimetic nanoparticle (PM-coated CuP nanoparticles, PC). PC possesses peroxidase (POD) activity, can facilitate the conversion of hydrogen peroxide …

Reducing Placental Oxidative Stress In A Rat Model Preeclampsia Using Vegfr2 Nanoparticles, Sophia Ganios

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy, where the placenta lacks sufficient blood flow due to abnormal formation of the vascular endothelial cells. This results in hypertension and increased reactive oxygen species, causing oxidative stress. The VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) helps develop new growth, so by increasing the receptors VEGFR2 by injection of LTP nanoparticles into the uterine wall of RUPP rats, one can see if there would be improvement in the otherwise reduced uterine pressure pregnant rat. This would be confirmed by the 8-isoprostane test, which measures oxidative stress.

Effect Of Decorating Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles With Silver Nanoparticles On Their Magneto-Photo Thermal Heating Efficiency, Anthony Joseph Afful

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Cancer treatment is rather dangerous to the body, often involving many secondary effects, including nausea, hair loss, and weight fluctuations. The search for non-invasive, highly efficient, and targetable treatments ameliorates these issues. Super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONS) have been used for other medical purposes such as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent and is being extensively studied as a potential candidate for many cancer therapeutic and diagnostic approaches due to its biocompatibility and superior magnetic properties. When subjected to an external alternating magnetic field SPIONS generate heat mainly due to the friction of the SPIONS against the fluid it is …

Ultrasensitive Tapered Optical Fiber Refractive Index, Erem Ujah, Meimei Lai, Gymama Slaughter

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Refractive index (RI) sensors are of great interest for label-free optical biosensing. A tapered optical fiber (TOF) RI sensor with micron-sized waist diameters can dramatically enhance sensor sensitivity by reducing the mode volume over a long distance. Here, a simple and fast method is used to fabricate highly sensitive refractive index sensors based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Two TOFs (l = 5 mm) with waist diameters of 5 µm and 12 µm demonstrated sensitivity enhancement at λ = 1559 nm for glucose sensing (5-45 wt%) at room temperature. The optical power transmission decreased with increasing glucose concentration due …

Morphologic Design Of Nanostructures For Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity, Fatma Al-Zahraa Sayed, Noura G Eissa, Yidan Shen, David A Hunstad, Karen L Wooley, Mahmoud Elsabahy

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Despite significant progress in synthetic polymer chemistry and in control over tuning the structures and morphologies of nanoparticles, studies on morphologic design of nanomaterials for the purpose of optimizing antimicrobial activity have yielded mixed results. When designing antimicrobial materials, it is important to consider two distinctly different modes and mechanisms of activity-those that involve direct interactions with bacterial cells, and those that promote the entry of nanomaterials into infected host cells to gain access to intracellular pathogens. Antibacterial activity of nanoparticles may involve direct interactions with organisms and/or release of antibacterial cargo, and these activities depend on attractive interactions and …

Pre-Exposure To Mrna-Lnp Inhibits Adaptive Immune Responses And Alters Innate Immune Fitness In An Inheritable Fashion, Zhen Qin, Aurélie Bouteau, Christopher Herbst, Botond Z. Igyártó

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

Hundreds of millions of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-LNP vaccine doses have already been administered to humans. However, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the immune effects of this platform. The mRNA-LNP-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is highly inflammatory, and its synthetic ionizable lipid component responsible for the induction of inflammation has a long in vivo half-life. Since chronic inflammation can lead to immune exhaustion and non-responsiveness, we sought to determine the effects of pre-exposure to the mRNA-LNP on adaptive immune responses and innate immune fitness. We found that pre-exposure to mRNA-LNPs or LNP alone led to long-term inhibition of the adaptive immune response, which …

Matrix Optimization Of Zno For Mass Spectrometry Imaging Of Small Neurochemicals In Rat And Mouse Brain Tissue, Natalie B. Merola, Juan Pablo Galindo Lazo

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

Testing experimental parameters in order to optimize ZnO nanoparticles as a matrix for low molecular weight neurochemicals in rat and mouse brain tissue.

Peptide-Sirna Nanoparticles Targeting Nf-Κb P50 Mitigate Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression And Rupture, Huimin Yan, Ying Hu, Antonina Akk, Samuel A Wickline, Hua Pan, Christine T N Pham

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a progressive vascular condition associated with high risk of mortality if left untreated. AAA is an inflammatory process with excessive local production of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes, leading to dilatation and rupture of the abdominal aorta. We posit that targeting NF-κB, a signaling pathway that controls inflammation, will halt AAA progression and prevent rupture. In an elastase-induced AAA model we observed that NF-κB activation increased progressively post-elastase perfusion. Unexpectedly, we found that AAA progression was marked by predominant nuclear accumulation of the NF-κB p50 subunit at the exclusion of p65. Using the amphipathic peptide p5RHH …

A Powassan Virus Domain Iii Nanoparticle Immunogen Elicits Neutralizing And Protective Antibodies In Mice, Ryan J. Malonis, George I. Georgiev, Denise Haslwanter, Laura A. Vanblargan, Georgia Fallon, Olivia Vergnolle, Sean M. Cahill, Richard Harris, David Cowburn, Kartik Chandran, Michael S Diamond, Jonathan R. Lai

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Powassan virus (POWV) is an emerging tick borne flavivirus (TBFV) that causes severe neuroinvasive disease. Currently, there are no approved treatments or vaccines to combat POWV infection. Here, we generated and characterized a nanoparticle immunogen displaying domain III (EDIII) of the POWV E glycoprotein. Immunization with POWV EDIII presented on nanoparticles resulted in significantly higher serum neutralizing titers against POWV than immunization with monomeric POWV EDIII. Furthermore, passive transfer of EDIII-reactive sera protected against POWV challenge in vivo. We isolated and characterized a panel of EDIII-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and identified several that potently inhibit POWV infection and engage distinct …

Lc-Ms Identification Of Serum Proteins Adsorbed Onto Ionic Liquid-Coated Nanoparticles, Anh M. Hoang

Honors Theses

Nanocarriers are promising candidates for drug delivery due to their size and tunable surface characteristics. However, when they are intravenously injected, few particles make it to their designated location. This is because upon entering the bloodstream, the serum in the blood, which is rich with a diversity of proteins, adsorbs onto the particles’ surfaces forming a protein corona. Many of the attached proteins trigger the mobile immune system and are removed by macrophages, and many particles are then filtered out by the liver and kidneys. Ionic Liquids (ILs), which consist of asymmetric, bulky components that are liquid