The Midwest Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center (M-CNTC) is training the next generation of leaders in cancer nanotechnology. In one of their projects, researchers have developed photonic crystal biosensors that are being used for cancer biomarker diagnostic assays and high-throughput pharmaceutical library screening.
Researchers at the Northwestern University Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNE) are developing nano-sized carrier vehicles based on biodegradeable graphene oxide for the delivery of gene and protein-based drugs. This image shows the sponge-like structure of a swollen graphene oxide film containing 80-nm thick lamellae. The thin tendrils of graphene oxide sheets can be seen as part of the corrugated lamellar network structure in the image.
Researchers at the Texas Center for Cancer Nanomedicine (TCCN) are working on the devlopment of nano-vaccines for cancer therapy. In this research, bone marrow cells were stimulated with cytokines (signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication) to favor differentiation into antigen presenting cells, known as dendritic cells. These dendritic cells are then presented with the nano-vaccines (as shown in this image), which are porous silicon particle discs loaded with immune stimulating molecules and tumor antigens. These now activated cells are then injected back into the host to stimulate an anti-tumor response.
Physicists and physicians at the Carolina Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNE) are creating a new approach to the treatment of aggressive tumors. Tiny beams of X-ray radiation are generated using an array of carbon nanotube X-ray sources to deliver tumor-killing radiation, while preserving normal tissue. The micrograph demonstrates this technology as it shows a 250 micron wide section of tissue damage that was initiated by this X-ray source.
The Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence at Johns Hopkins University is focused on nanotechnology-based in vitro assays, targeted chemotherapy, and immunotherapy for lung and pancreatic cancers. Utilizing their metastatic model of melanoma, the image shown here is a fusion of lung (CAT scan, in solid yellow) and their molecular-genetic imaging technique that highlights the metastatic lesions (SPECT image, covering from blue-to-red that correlates lesion density).
The focus of the Northeastern University's CCNE is to develop promising nanoparticles for lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer. In this image, researchers explored the phenotypic changes occurring in tumor cells using 3D spheroid models to evaluate nanoparticle-based delivery. The green fluorescense in this image comes from live cells while the red comes from dead cells and was obtained from a confocal fluorescense microscope.
Researchers at Emory University are developing the next generation of quantum dots for use as highly sensitive fluorescent sensors to detect cancer. This image is a transmission electron micrograph of quantum dot nanocrystals composed of a cadmium mercury telluride alloy core with several layers of zinc sulfide acting as a shell. These quantums dots are unique because the optical and electronic properties can be finely tuned by altering the composition of the ternary alloy core, a much more facile process than previous generations, without changing the particle size.
Researchers at the MIT-Harvard Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNE) have found that tumor-associated macrophages play key roles in tumor progression and during treatment. The intravital microscope image comes from a live mouse and displays tumor cells (in green from their expression of a fluorescent protein) surrounded by tumor macrophages (in red from a targeted fluorescent 25nm nanoparticle to track their location over time). The blue represents the tumor vasculature.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNE) are investigating the role of size and shape of cellular interactions with their uniquely shaped PRINT particles. Examining how cells interact with particles of differing geometries may lead to new insights about how cells internalize synthetic materials and how rational design of shape can be applied for the more efficient delivery of therapeutics by nanoscale materials. The image set shown here is of a cell interacting with a 'helicopter' shaped particle.
