BCMaterials Fortnightly Seminar #48: Xabier Lasheras and Maria San Sebastian

XABIER LASHERAS 

(BCMATERIALS)

SYNTHESIS, SURFACE MODIFICATION AND IN VITRO AND IN VIVO TOXICITY OF MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

There is a great interest on developing high magnetic response magnetic nanocompounds with superparamagnetic behaviour, as many potential biomedical applications for such compounds have been found during the last years based on their magnetic hyperthermia response. However, in order to achieve satisfying results in future therapies there are many challenges which need to be leaded. One of the mostly studied points is a way to modify the chemical structure of the main used material for such application, magnetite Fe₃O₄, by doping with different paramagnetic cations in order to enhance its magnetic response and, therefore, its magnetic hyperthermia response. As important as the nanoparticle high hyperthermia response is the biocompatibility, stability and non-toxicity of the nanoparticle surface. Consequently, the aim of many works is to attach different compounds to nanoparticle (NP) surface as polymers or ligands and check the colloidal stability and toxicity of resultant NPs. Furthermore, the adsorption of many compounds as fluorophores or specific drugs can be achieved by this way. In balance, the aim of the presented project can be divided in three different steps. Firstly, many different crystalline NP systems based on the inverse spinel structure of magnetite Fe₃O₄ have been prepared by doping with Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺ cations. After testing their magnetic and hyperthermia response, the optimal system was chosen and its surface was functionalized by two different ways, directed to be applied in two different biomedical therapies, magnetic hyperthermia cancer treatments and drug delivery and controlled release.. Finally, the toxicity of these two optimized and surface modified systems has been tested by in vitro and in vivo tests.

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ANABEL PÉREZ

(BCMATERIALS)

DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH TEMPERATURE NIMNGA FERROMAGNETIC SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS