Prof. Zitoun laboratory is looking for a final year first degree student

Conjugation of cis-platin and other anti-cancerous drugs to nanoparticles with BBB-penetrating peptide

The Zitoun laboratory is looking for a final year first degree student who wants to continue to a Master’s degree this year. The research work is a joint project between our lab and the Rahimipour biochemistry laboratory regarding nanoparticles for cancer treatment.

Figure 1. Transmission electron microscopy of different nanoparticles.

In this work we will use different nanoparticles (Au nanorods, Pd nanosheets, Au nanostars) and modify their surface chemistry using mercapto-phenyl-carboxylic acid ligands, with additional mix of aminothio-phenyl. This in turn will be used to “hold” cis-platin, a common cancer drug, in place. This will prevent the cis-platin transforming into its trans form (which does not affect cancer cells), whilst also holding a peptide able to penetrate the blood brain barrier. This would allow us to deliver the drug into the brain with both relative ease and with higher amounts whilst maintaining the stability of the drugs along the way.

Different nanoparticles will be investigated, as some structures have shown slightly different activity, and thus would allow for possibly interesting interactions between the drugs, the cancer cells, and the nanoparticles.

Figure 2. The proposed nanoparticle/mercapto-phenyl-carboxylic acid/peptide/cis-platin system

In this work, you will perform wet nanoparticles syntheses of different shapes and compounds, mainly focusing on Au nanostructures. Some simple organic and inorganic reactions will be performed to modify the surface of the nanosystems.

The characterization techniques you will use will be electron microscopy (TEM), UV-VIS spectrophotometry, FTIR, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), numerous element NMR, ICP-AES.

The collaboration will involve working with the biochemistry group to assess these novel systems, in terms of blood brain barrier penetration and effectiveness against cancer cells.

If you are interested, contact Mike Rozenberg (mikerozenberg14@gmail.com), including your CV and grades.

For a deeper viewpoint on the research, please read the below reference:

1. Sibuyi, N.R.S., Moabelo, K.L., Fadaka, A.O. et al. Multifunctional Gold Nanoparticles for Improved Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications: A Review. Nanoscale Res Lett 16, 174 (2021). Link