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Studying gold-nanoparticle self-assemblies in biological environments: a basic understanding for drug delivery sytems
The goal of this project will be to create nanoparticle self-assemblies from gold and proteins with specific size, shape and ordering so that these systems can be used as models for applications in drug delivery. Their structure will primarily be characterized by scattering techniques such as small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Other characterization techniques will also be explored.
Keywords: Nanoparticles, drug delivery, self-assembly, biological environments, small-angle scattering, dynamic light scattering, electron transmission microscopy, physicochemical characterization
Gold nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used materials for imaging techniques and drug delivery owed to their unique electrical, optical and chemical properties as well as their biocompatibility in human cells. These applications however, require gold-NP suspensions that are stable in biological environments. Previous studies showed that attachment of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer onto gold-NPs and addition of human serum albumin induced formation of stable and ordered self-assemblies in biological solutions. The questions that we seek to answer are: can we control and modulate the size, shape and ordering of these gold-NP-protein assemblies and, how does their self-assembled structure change once they are brought into more complex biological environments like cells or soft tissue?
Gold nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used materials for imaging techniques and drug delivery owed to their unique electrical, optical and chemical properties as well as their biocompatibility in human cells. These applications however, require gold-NP suspensions that are stable in biological environments. Previous studies showed that attachment of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer onto gold-NPs and addition of human serum albumin induced formation of stable and ordered self-assemblies in biological solutions. The questions that we seek to answer are: can we control and modulate the size, shape and ordering of these gold-NP-protein assemblies and, how does their self-assembled structure change once they are brought into more complex biological environments like cells or soft tissue?
- The first task will be to get familiar with performing small-angle x-ray scattering experiments in our lab, conducting data analysis of SAXS data and preparing well-established gold-NP self-assemblies in biological solution
- Afterwards we will try to modulate properties like shape and size of these self-assemblies by changing parameters like NP-size, PEG-functionalization and type of protein. The gold-NPs will directly be obtained from a company.
- In the last part we will look at possible changes in the self-assembly in more complex biological environments like cells or soft tissue to mimic conditions with higher physiological relevance. This will be done in collaboration with the Particles-Biology Laboratory at Empa St. Gallen.
**Tasks**
- preparation of biological NP solutions
- data collection and analysis via SAXS, DLS and other techniques
- design of a microfluidic mixing system
**Skills**
- willingness to work with physicochemical characterization methods
- experience in working with nanoparticle suspensions or other soft materials is a plus
- Highly motivated to work in an interdisciplinary field
- The first task will be to get familiar with performing small-angle x-ray scattering experiments in our lab, conducting data analysis of SAXS data and preparing well-established gold-NP self-assemblies in biological solution - Afterwards we will try to modulate properties like shape and size of these self-assemblies by changing parameters like NP-size, PEG-functionalization and type of protein. The gold-NPs will directly be obtained from a company. - In the last part we will look at possible changes in the self-assembly in more complex biological environments like cells or soft tissue to mimic conditions with higher physiological relevance. This will be done in collaboration with the Particles-Biology Laboratory at Empa St. Gallen.
**Tasks**
- preparation of biological NP solutions - data collection and analysis via SAXS, DLS and other techniques - design of a microfluidic mixing system
**Skills**
- willingness to work with physicochemical characterization methods - experience in working with nanoparticle suspensions or other soft materials is a plus - Highly motivated to work in an interdisciplinary field
The project will primarily be performed at our site in Empa St. Gallen. You will be affiliated to the Center for X-ray Analytics as well as the Particles-Biology Laboratory at Empa St. Gallen. For further information or application for the thesis project, please contact: Leonard Krupnik **(leonard.krupnik@empa.ch).**
To apply, please let us know why you want to do this project and attach a mini CV with your current program of study.
Please include how long you aim to do this project (i.e. 6 months) and the earliest date you can start.
The project will primarily be performed at our site in Empa St. Gallen. You will be affiliated to the Center for X-ray Analytics as well as the Particles-Biology Laboratory at Empa St. Gallen. For further information or application for the thesis project, please contact: Leonard Krupnik **(leonard.krupnik@empa.ch).** To apply, please let us know why you want to do this project and attach a mini CV with your current program of study. Please include how long you aim to do this project (i.e. 6 months) and the earliest date you can start.