Biomarkers detection and nanoparticle based drug delivery systems: newapproaches in nanomedicine

The project proposal is focused on creating new engineered bio‐conjugated sensors/carriers to be used in diagnosis and therapeutics. These novel systems involve use of nanoparticles, superparamagnetic materials, protein biosensors, and advanced light assisted molecular immobilization technology. The group has acquired fundamental knowledge on light activated mechanisms in protein structures. Using ultraviolet‐light it is possible to open disulphide bonds in proteins leading to protein immobilization onto thiol reactive surfaces (glass, quartz or gold surfaces). This work has paved the way for the development of a unique light assisted immobilization technology (LAMI) applied to the development of a new biosensor microarraying technology with micrometer and sub‐micrometer resolution and to engineering new nanoparticle based drug/protein carriers. The research group has bioengineered gold covered magnetic nanoparticles, which can be separated using a magnetic field. Protein based biomarkers (e.g. hormone peptides) have been covalently immobilized onto the gold layer of these particles using ultraviolet‐light. The bioconjugates can be used to identify molecules that recognize and bind to the biomarker. The biomarker may indicate disease, and its corresponding receptor may provide knowledge for designing novel pharmaceuticals, which can be used for treatment. Another project goal is to image the interaction of the biomolecule carried by the nanoparticle with cellular components (e.g. receptor proteins). Furthermore, the cellular responses triggered upon the interaction between bioconjugate‐carrier and cells will be monitored, quantified and imaged (nm resolution).