IMEC, an independent Belgian research center, developed a generic and versatile method to synthesize stable, biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles. By tuning the endgroups, the functionalized nanoparticles can be used for a wide variety of biomedical applications, such as accurate drug delivery, improved diagnostics and targeted cancer therapy.
The interest for using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical and bioengineering applications is rapidly increasing. They can be widely used for in-vitro as well as in-vivo applications such as magnetic biosensing, cell separation, contrast enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging, tissue repair, hyperthermia treatment and accurate drug delivery. To apply magnetic nanoparticles in these fields, the size, shape and (bio)chemical coating of the particles need to be accurately controlled, the thermal and chemical stability needs to be retained and the magnetization values must be high.
IMEC realized a first ever reported robust technology for functionalized magnetic nanoparticles meeting the stringent biomedical characteristics by using a hydrophobic surfactant to passivate the surface. To make them compatible with biological environments, the nanoparticles are made water-soluble. The latter is done by a novel self-assembly procedure in which the hydrophobic surface ligands are replaced by silanes bearing a choice of three different endgroups (amino, carboxylic acid or poly(ethylene glycol)). As a result, the magnetic nanoparticles achieve highly stable and water-dispersible properties. The silane molecules even form a protective layer against mild acid and alkaline environments. The possibility to use three different endgroups makes the nanoparticles suitable to interact with various biological particles such as proteins, DNA or cells.
IMEC will be investigating if the functionalized magnetic nanoparticles can enhance the contrast of magnetic resonance imaging by magnetically tagging cells after bringing functionalized magnetic nanoparticles in the blood stream. IMEC also researches the use of the nanoparticles for cancer diagnostic and hyperthermia treatment. In this technique, a changing magnetic field is sent through the tagged cancer cells, which overheats the cell and thus allows localized treatment of the cancer tumor. Furthermore IMEC currently investigates, in collaboration with the VIB department of Molecular and Developmental Genetics at KULeuven, the possibilities to apply these nanoparticles as purification agents in cellular proteomics.
"Biomedical electronics is one of the fastest growing markets. Technologies for biomedical electronics are developed at the crossroads of microelectronics, nanotechnology and biotechnology and therefore form an interesting research domain for IMEC;" said Gustaaf Borghs, IMEC fellow. "By complementing our basic expertise in micro- and nanoelectronic engineering with expertise in the fields of medicine, chemistry and biology, IMEC is rapidly becoming an interesting partner for the medical and pharmaceutical industry."
Source: IMEC
Related stories:
Researchers target tumors with tiny 'nanoworms'
Scientists at UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and MIT have developed nanometer-sized “nanoworms” that can cruise through the bloodstream without significant interference from the body’s immune defense system and—like tiny anti-cancer missiles—home in on tumors.
Lab in a Drop
Analysis and diagnosis in a chip format are coming of age, but their practical application has been limited because until now, the sample usually had to be prepared separately and on a nonminiaturized scale. Jürgen Pipper and his team at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore want to change this.
Creating Highly Sought Magnetic Nanoparticles in One Step
Researchers from the University of Minnesota have demonstrated a one-step technique for producing a class of magnetic nanoparticles that could be used in everything from biomedical applications to data storage. Consisting of an iron and cobalt core with a gold shell, the nanoparticle’s unique, and potentially very useful, magnetic properties were characterized at the NSLS.
Tiny magnets offer breakthrough in gene therapy for cancer
A revolutionary cancer treatment using microscopic magnets to enable 'armed' human cells to target tumours has been developed by researchers funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Research published online today in the journal,
Gene Therapy, shows that inserting these nanomagnets into cells carrying genes to fight tumours, results in many more cells successfully reaching and invading malignant tumours.
Researchers mimic bacteria to produce magnetic nanoparticles
When it comes to designing something, it’s hard to find a better source of inspiration than Mother Nature. Using that principle, a diverse, interdisciplinary group of researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory is mimicking bacteria to synthesize magnetic nanoparticles that could be used for drug targeting and delivery, in magnetic inks and high-density memory devices, or as magnetic seals in motors.
Nano-sized technology has super-sized effect on tumors
Anyone facing chemotherapy would welcome an advance promising to dramatically reduce their dose of these often harsh drugs. Using nanotechnology, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have taken a step closer to that goal.
Researchers develop tool that 'sees' internal body details 1,000 times smaller
Doctors' quest to see what is happening inside a living body has been hampered by the limits on detecting tiny components of internal structures and events. Now a team of Stanford University School of Medicine researchers has developed a new type of imaging system that can illuminate tumors in living subjects-getting pictures with a precision of nearly one-trillionth of a meter.
Yeast in an Egg Shell
Nature’s eggshells have inspired Chinese researchers: A team led by Ruikang Tang at Zhejiang University have successfully equipped living yeast cells with an artificial mineral coating. As reported in the journal
Angewandte Chemie, the hard inorganic shells protect the cells, allowing them to survive longer storage times. By incorporating iron oxide particles into the shells the researchers were also able to make them magnetic.
