Nanomedicine Commons^™

Nanofibrous Materials And Nanoparticles For Combating Antimicrobial Resistance: Synthesis, Integration, And Translational Perspectives, Rewati Raman Ujjwal, Ashish Dilip Sutar, Rahul Shukla, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health challenge driven by mechanisms such as biofilm formation, efflux pumps, and genetic mutations. Nanoparticulate and fibrous materials have emerged as promising strategies to overcome these limitations through multimodal antimicrobial action and controlled drug delivery. This review highlights recent advances in electrospun nanofibrous systems, including natural and synthetic polymer-based scaffolds, stimuli-responsive nanofibers, and functionalized patches. Nanoparticle-loaded nanofiber systems demonstrate enhanced performance, including bacterial eradication, sustained drug release, and significant biofilm disruption. Multifunctional systems combining antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties further show synergism. Emerging innovations, such as piezoelectric and smart sensing systems, enable self-powered …

A Systematic Review On Niosomes: Composition, Preparation, And Applications, Sanket Gawade Mr., Sunil Attimarad, Vishakha Desai Ms.

Manipal Journal of Medical Sciences

Conventional drug carrier systems are restricted owing to poor bioavailability, weak stability and non-specific localization, which causes systemic toxicities and reduced therapeutic efficacy. Niosomes, one of the nonionic surfactant vesicular systems, have been suggested that value to overcome these constraints. In this review, we give an account of recent progress in niosome research, highlighting their merits, composition, characterization, and applications.

Niosomes offer several advantages including increased drug bioavailability, targeted delivery and reduced toxicity. Bilayered niosomes can entrap both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, therefore allowing simultaneous delivery of actives components. We provide an overview of various techniques for niosome preparation including …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Multifunctional Cerium Oxide Containing Nanoparticles For Biomedical Applications, Ishaan Patel

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study presents the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a novel core-shell nanoparticle composed of a maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) core and a europium-doped cerium oxide (EuCNP) shell, developed for potential use in cancer theranostics. Using a co-precipitation method, Fe₂O₃–EuCNP core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized and compared against control samples of CNPs, EuCNPs, and Fe₂O₃. A variety of characterization techniques, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, TEM, XRD, XPS, DLS, TGA, and DSC confirmed the successful synthesis of core-shell architecture and europium doping. Moreover, Fe₂O₃–EuCNPs demonstrating strong colloidal …

Immune Pathway Modulation In Melanoma Using Chitosan Nanoparticle-Mediated Dsrna Delivery, Bethel C. Iwuji

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, which typically results in the formation of tumours. Even with advances in treatments, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally. Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer which is highly malignant, develops in the pigment-producing cells of the skin, melanocytes, and in the late stages of the disease poses a significant challenge for therapeutic intervention due to its multidrug resistance. The innate immune system is the first line of defence against invading pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, and can recognize and destroy …

Targeting Bone In Cancer Therapy: Advances And Challenges Of Bisphosphonate-Based Drug Delivery Systems, Fariba Ganji, Mohammadmahdi Eshaghi, Hossein Shaki, Lobat Tayebi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Background and Purpose: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are well-known for their strong affinity toward bone mineral matrices and are widely used to inhibit excessive osteoclast activity associated with various bone disorders. Beyond their clinical use, their unique bone-targeting capability has positioned them as promising ligands for drug delivery systems aimed at treating bone-related cancers. Approach: The review analyses published studies on BP-functionalized drug delivery systems, including direct drug conjugates, calcium-based nanomaterials, carbon-based nanostructures, and self-assembling systems such as micelles and liposomes. In vitro assays (e.g. hydroxyapatite binding, cell viability) and in vivo biodistribution studies are discussed to evaluate targeting efficiency and …

Understanding Nanoparticle-Liver Interactions In Nanomedicine, Yuxin He, Yifan Wang, Lin Wang, Wen Jiang, Stefan Wilhelm

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Understanding the interactions between administered nanoparticles and the liver is crucial for developing safe and effective nanomedicines. As the liver can sequester up to 99% of these particles due to its major phagocytic role, understanding these interactions is vital for clinical translation.

Areas covered: This review highlights recent studies on nanoparticle-liver interactions, including the influence of nanoparticle physicochemical properties on delivery, strategies to enhance delivery efficiency by modulating liver Kupffer cells, and their potential for treating certain hepatic diseases. Additionally, we discuss how aging impacts the liver's phagocytic functions.

Expert opinion: While liver accumulation can hinder nanomedicine safety and …

Using Imaging Modalities To Predict Nanoparticle Distribution And Treatment Efficacy In Solid Tumors: The Growing Role Of Ultrasound, Michaela B. Cooley, Dana Wegierak, Agata A. Exner

Faculty Scholarship

Nanomedicine in oncology has not had the success in clinical impact that was anticipated in the early stages of the field's development. Ideally, nanomedicines selectively accumulate in tumor tissue and reduce systemic side effects compared to traditional chemotherapeutics. However, this has been more successful in preclinical animal models than in humans. The causes of this failure to translate may be related to the intra- and inter-patient heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment. Predicting whether a patient will respond positively to treatment prior to its initiation, through evaluation of characteristics like nanoparticle extravasation and retention potential in the tumor, may be a …

Age-Associated Disparity In Phagocytic Clearance Affects The Efficacy Of Cancer Nanotherapeutics, Yifan Wang, Weiye Deng, Daeyong Lee, Long Yan, Yifei Lu, Shiyan Dong, Kristin Huntoon, Abin Antony, Xuefeng Li, Rui Ye, Yan Zhao, Feiyan Zhao, Benjamin R Schrank, Jonghoon Ha, Minjeong Kang, Mingming Yang, Ping Gong, Philip L Lorenzi, Lin Tan, Thomas D Gallup, Sarah K Tang, Zhaogang Yang, Jing Li, Nina N Sanford, Hongmei Wang, Betty Y S Kim, Wen Jiang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Nanomedicines have been approved to treat multiple human diseases. However, clinical adoption of nanoformulated agents is often hindered by concerns about hepatic uptake and clearance, a process that is not fully understood. Here we show that the antitumour efficacy of cancer nanomedicine exhibits an age-associated disparity. Tumour delivery and treatment outcomes are superior in old versus young mice, probably due to an age-related decline in the ability of hepatic phagocytes to take up and remove nanoparticles. Transcriptomic- and protein-level analysis at the single-cell and bulk levels reveals an age-associated decrease in the numbers of hepatic macrophages that express the scavenger …

Radiotherapy Reimagined: Integrating Nanomedicines Into Radiotherapy Clinical Trials, Allison N Duross, Jack Phan, Alexander J Lazar, Joshua M Walker, Alexander R Guimaraes, Carole Baas, Sunil Krishnan, Charles R Thomas, Conroy Sun, Alexander F Bagley

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Radioenhancing nanoparticles (NPs) are being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials for various cancers including head and neck, lung, esophagus, pancreas, prostate, and soft tissue sarcoma. Supported by decades of preclinical investigation and recent randomized trial data establishing clinical activity, these agents are poised to influence future multimodality treatment paradigms involving radiotherapy. Although the physical interactions between NPs and ionizing radiation are well characterized, less is known about how these agents modify the tumor microenvironment, particularly regarding tumor immunogenicity. In this review, we describe the key multidisciplinary considerations related to radiation, surgery, immunology, and pathology for designing radioenhancing NP clinical trials. …

Nano-Embedded Medical Devices And Delivery Systems In Interventional Radiology, Erin Marie D San Valentin, Allan John R Barcena, Carleigh Klusman, Benjamin Martin, Marites P Melancon

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Nanomaterials research has significantly accelerated the development of the field of vascular and interventional radiology. The incorporation of nanoparticles with unique and functional properties in medical devices and delivery systems has paved the way for the creation of novel diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for various clinical disorders. In this review, we discuss the advancements in the field of interventional radiology and the role of nanotechnology in maximizing the benefits and mitigating the disadvantages of interventional radiology theranostic procedures. Several nanomaterials have been studied to improve the efficacy of interventional radiology interventions, reduce the complications associated with medical devices, improve the …

Quality By Design Based Optimization Of Anti-Inflammatory Nanoemulgels For Local Treatment Of Burn Wounds, Leah Dickey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Burns are some of the most traumatizing and damaging skin injuries, with the potential of causing extensive internal damage that increases the risk of chronic wound development. Oral and topical analgesics in combination with antibiotics can provide temporary relief and improve wound healing progress for both mild and severe burns. However, recurrent systemic exposure to pain relievers and antibiotics has been associated with adverse side effects including nausea, drowsiness, abdominal pain, etc., and increased risk of new infections or even ulcers. Local and targeted drug delivery systems, such as nanomedicine, have gained attention as potentially more effective alternatives to improve …

Nanotherapeutics And Hiv: Four Decades Of Infection Canvass The Quest For Drug Development Using Nanomedical Technologies, Bhupender S. Chhikara, Nirpendra Singh, Poonam, Parveen Bazard, Rajender S. Varma, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

We have seen four decades of human struggle to cure or eradicate HIV infection since the first clinical detection of HIV infection. Various developed drugs such as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, microbicides, and others have known restrictions, such as side effects and resistance development when used alone, and hidden reservoir of the virus, which have opened the gates for the involvement of nanomedicine associated systems, particularly for latent sites of HIV infection. The nanotechnological vehicles, such as liposomes, dendrimers, metal nanoparticles, polymeric nanocapsules/particles, surfactants, and targeted vehicles have become part …

Multifunctional Programmable Self-Assembled Nanoparticles In Nanomedicine, Yoshie Sakamaki

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Developing methodologies to control the architecture of nanoparticles (NPs) at the atomic level prevents their inhomogeneity and leads to a variety of expected functions. Rationally designed nanoparticles can either be programmed or crystallized structures into pre-determined structures achieving tunable particle pore size and physiochemistry. In this dissertation, two broad classes of multifunctional nanoparticles are developed, metal-organic frameworks and DNA-NP aggregates.

Metal-organic frameworks are a novel class of highly porous crystalline materials built from organic linkers and metal cluster-based secondary building units. However, applications in bioremediation have not been developed very well especially in applications regarding drug delivery systems (DDS). The …

Development Of Long-Acting Antiviral Drug Nanoformulations, Denise Cobb

Theses & Dissertations

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the quality and duration of life for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, opportunities to improve its profile abound. ART is limited by putative viral reservoir penetrance, emergence of viral mutations, inherent toxicities, and regimen non-adherence. These highlight the need improved drug delivery schemes. Previously, our lab has demonstrated that targeting mononuclear phagocytes for antiretroviral drug delivery extends drug half-life and improves penetrance into viral reservoirs, addressing these limitations of ART. Herein, we developed synthetic and biologic antiretroviral (ARV) drug nanocarriers improve the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles of ARVs through …

Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery For The Treatment Of Cardiovascular Diseases, Rajasekharreddy Pala, Vt Anju, Madhu Dyavaiah, Siddhardha Busi, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the foremost causes of high morbidity and mortality globally. Preventive, diagnostic, and treatment measures available for CVDs are not very useful, which demands promising alternative methods. Nanoscience and nanotechnology open a new window in the area of CVDs with an opportunity to achieve effective treatment, better prognosis, and less adverse effects on non-target tissues. The application of nanoparticles and nanocarriers in the area of cardiology has gathered much attention due to the properties such as passive and active targeting to the cardiac tissues, improved target specificity, and sensitivity. It has reported that more than …

Synthesis Of New Aliphatic Pseudo-Branched Polyester Co-Polymers For Biomedical Applications, Zachary Shaw

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

In this study, a hyperbranched polyester co-polymer was designed using a proprietary monomer and diethylene glycol or triethylene glycol as monomers. The synthesis was carried out using standard melt polymerization technique and catalyzed by p-Tolulenesulfonic acid. The progress of the reaction was monitored with respect to time and negative pressure, with samples being subjected to standard characterization protocols. The resulting polymers were purified using the solvent precipitation method and characterized using various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods including GPC, MALDI-TOF, and NMR. We have observed polymers with a molecular weight of 29,643 kDa and 33,996 kDa, which is ideal to be …

Synthesis And Characterization Of A Long-Acting Emtricitabine Prodrug Nanoformulation, Ibrahim M. Ibrahim

Theses & Dissertations

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy led to a paradigm shift in the management of HIV/AIDS changing a disease considered “a death sentence” to “a manageable chronic disease”. Nevertheless, challenges exist for successful treatment of HIV, including patient adherence to the complex daily regimens and the inability of current formulations to target viral sanctuaries. Introduction of nanoformulated antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a promising alternative to tackle these challenges. Our laboratory has been focusing on developing long-acting (LA) nanoformulated antiretrovirals and has succeeded in developing LA integrase inhibitors. However, challenges for this approach extend to a range of short-acting hydrophilic …

Development Of A Long-Acting Nanoformulation Of Dolutegravir For Prevention And Treatment Of Hiv-1 Infection, Brady Sillman

Theses & Dissertations

Dolutegravir (DTG) is a potent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase strand-transfer inhibitor (INSTI) with a high barrier to viral drug resistance. However, opportunities to improve its profile abound. These include extending the drug’s apparent half-life, increasing penetrance to “putative” viral reservoirs, and reducing inherent toxicities. These highlight, in part, the need for long-acting, slow effective release antiretroviral therapy (LASER ART) delivery schemes. A long-acting (LA) DTG was made by synthesizing a hydrophobic and lipophilic prodrug encased with poloxamer (P407) surfactant. This modified DTG (MDTG) reduced systemic metabolism and polarity, increased lipophilicity and membrane permeability, improved encapsulation, and formed …

Evaluating The Effects Of Antibody-Conjugated Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes In Combination With Microwave Irradiation, Amy Chall

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Cancer remains one of the largest public health concerns of our day, particularly in developed countries where technological advances have allowed populations to live well into their eighth decade. In America, those in their 80’s have a 1 in 2 chance of developing cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer, specifically is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in males. Traditional cancer therapies cause high levels of toxicity to the patient due to mechanisms of action that often attack cancer cells and healthy cells alike. The holy grail of cancer research is to find a treatment that targets the cancer …

Nanoparticle-Mediated Therapeutic Agent Delivery For Treating Metastatic Breast Cancer—Challenges And Opportunities, Yunfei Li, Brock Humphries, Chengfeng Yang, Zhishan Wang

Toxicology and Cancer Biology Faculty Publications

Breast cancer (BC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in American women and more than 90% of BC-related death is caused by metastatic BC (MBC). This review stresses the limited success of traditional therapies as well as the use of nanomedicine for treating MBC. Understanding the biological barriers of MBC that nanoparticle in vivo trafficking must overcome could provide valuable new insights for translating nanomedicine from the bench side to the bedside. A view about nanomedicine applied in BC therapy has been summarized with their present status, which is gaining attention in the clinically-applied landscape. The progressions of …

Mathematical Modeling Of Nanoparticle Biodistribution, Prashant Dogra

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

The prospects of nanoparticle-based drug delivery and imaging have been hindered by insufficient understanding of the effects of nanoparticle physicochemical properties on their in vivo disposition. Here, we present an integrative mathematical modeling and in vivo imaging approach to quantify the relationship between nanoparticle physicochemical properties, namely, size, surface charge, and surface chemistry, on their in vivo disposition kinetics in healthy rats. We developed simple master equations in closed-form to accurately represent the time-dependent concentration of nanoparticles in different regions of the body and obtain functional relationships for predictive purpose to support rational design of nanomedicine. We further used …

Effects Of Carboxylated Nanodiamonds On Macrophages During And After Differentiation, Maisoun E. Bani Hani

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Nanodiamonds (ND) are a carbon-based nanomaterial that are increasingly being proposed for developing novel imaging techniques, as carriers of biomolecules and therapeutic drugs, as coatings for implants, and for other biomedical applications. The exceptional chemical, mechanical, and optical properties of ND make this material suitable in a wide range of fields. The application of ND in the biomedical field is attractive but requires more in-depth investigation into the safety of ND and its interactions with different cells and systems. The effects of ND on the immune system are not fully understood or investigated and there are several controverting reports regarding …

One-Pot Syntheses And Characterizations Of “Click-Able” Polyester Polymers For Potential Biomedical Applications, James F. Beach Ii

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

In this study, a synthetic polyester polymer was designed using polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, glutaric acid and 4-pentynoic acid as monomers. The synthesis was carried out using standard melt polymerization technique and catalyzed by Novozyme-435, an enzyme suitable for polyesterification of biocompatible compounds. The progress of the reaction was monitored with respect to time and vacuum exposure, with samples being subjected to standard characterization protocols. Polymers with high molecular weight and water solubility were chosen for further modification into folate-functionalized polymeric nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery to cancer cells. This was achieved by employing a solvent diffusion method, wherein the polymer …

Inhibiting Infectivity Of The Spindle Shaped Virus Using Silver Nanoparticles, Diana S. Demchenko

Student Research Symposium

Exploring the inhibiting factors of silver nanoparticles could change the way we approach drug-resistant viruses. In previous research, silver nanoparticles have shown to physically block viruses, such as HIV-1, from infecting its host by theoretically binding to surface receptors on the virus. Since there is little research done in this area, we have decided to combine silver nanoparticles with a virus that thrives within an extreme environment: the Spindle Shaped virus. By combining these two factors, we could reveal the biological and chemical properties that block the virus from infecting its host, Sulfolobus. Currently, we have collected data that shows …

Development Of Diverse Size And Shape Rna Nanoparticles And Investigation Of Their Physicochemical Properties For Optimized Drug Delivery, Daniel L. Jasinski

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

RNA nanotechnology is an emerging field that holds great promise for advancing drug delivery and materials science. Recently, RNA nanoparticles have seen increased use as an in vivo delivery system. RNA was once thought to have little potential for in vivo use due to biological and thermodynamic stability issues. However, these issues have been solved by: (1) Finding of a thermodynamically stable three-way junction (3WJ) motif; (2) Chemical modifications to RNA confer enzymatic stability in vivo; and (3) the finding that RNA nanoparticles exhibit low immunogenicity in vivo.

In vivo biodistribution and pharmacokinetics are affected by the physicochemical …

Radioprotective Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles: Molecular Imaging Investigations Of Conps’ Pharmacokinetics, Efficacy, And Mechanisms Of Action, Philip R. Mcdonagh Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) are being investigated for several anti-oxidant applications in medicine. One of their most promising applications is as a radioprotective drug, an area of research in need due to the severe side effects from radiation therapy. In this work, the potential of CONPs as a radioprotective drug is examined using four criteria: favorable biodistribution/pharmacokinetics, low toxicity, ability to protect normal tissue from radiation damage, and lack of protection of tumor. The mechanisms of action of CONPs are also studied. Biodistribution was determined in radiolabeled CONPs with surface coatings including citrate, dextran T10-amine (DT10-NH₂), dextran T10-polyethylene …

Rna As A Unique Polymer To Build Controllable Nanostructures For Nanomedicine And Nanotechnology, Hui Li

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

RNA nanotechnology is an emerging field that involves the design, construction and functionalization of nanostructures composed mainly of RNA for applications in biomedical and material sciences. RNA is a unique polymer with structural simplicity like DNA and functional diversity like proteins. A variety of RNA nanostructures have been reported with different geometrical structures and functionalities. This dissertation describes the design and construction of novel two-dimensional and three-dimensional self-assembled RNA nanostructures with applications in therapeutics delivery, cancer targeting and immunomodulation. Firstly, by using the ultra-stable pRNA three-way junction motif with controllable angles and arm lengths, tetrahedral architectures composed purely of RNA …

15 Years On Sirna Delivery: Beyond The State-Of-The-Art On Inorganic Nanoparticles For Rnai Therapeutics, Joao Conde, Furong Tian, Alfredo Ambrosone, Yulán Hernandez, Mark Mccully, Catherine C. .Berry, Pedro Baptista, Claudia Tortiglione, Jesus M. De La Fuented

Articles

RNAi has always captivated scientists due to its tremendous power to modulate the phenotype of living organisms. This natural and powerful biological mechanism can now be harnessed to downregulate specific gene expression in diseased cells, opening up endless opportunities. Since most of the conventional siRNA delivery methods are limited by a narrow therapeutic index and significant side and off-target effects, we are now in the dawn of a new age in gene therapy driven by nanotechnology vehicles for RNAi therapeutics. Here, we outlook the “do's and dont's” of the inorganic RNAi nanomaterials developed in the last 15 years and the …

Creation Of An Annotated Library On Fda Approved Nanomedicines, Marley R. Hodson, Tanin Izadi, Nastassja Lewinski Ph.D, Bridget T. Mcinnes Ph.D

Undergraduate Research Posters

Nanomedicine is a type of nanotechnology used in the medical field to limit the dosage amount and target drug delivery to specific cells. Nanomedicines that are approved and used tend to be extremely successful; however despite over a decade of research, only a limited number of nanomedicines have advanced for clinical use. A possible reason for the numerous nanomedicine failures is lack of easily accessible information and research on previous nanomedicines. In this project, we have compiled nanomedicine labeling information from the Drugs@FDA website. We have extracted phrases/sentences from labels relating to keywords on nanomaterial properties and drug profile characteristics. …

Targeting Breast Cancer With Bacteriophage Associated Silicon Particles, Srimeenakshi Srinivasan

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Nanoparticle based therapeutics have been successfully used in the treatment of breast cancer. Development of nanovectors targeted to cancer cells or elements in the tumor microenvironment has been pursued to improve their site specific accumulation while reducing the non-specific delivery to normal tissues. However, addition of targeting ligands to the surface of nanovectors while maintaining their payload carrying potential is generally challenging. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop surface decoration strategies that allow for effective combination of targeting and payload delivery to the tumor.

In this study, we propose a novel strategy for covering the surface of mesoporous …