Preparation of magnetic nanoparticles of Fe3O4@SiO2 containing nitric oxide for biomedical applications

• Grant number: 20/08566-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Amedea Barozzi Seabra
• Grantee: Bianca de Melo Santana
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/13821-9 - Assessment of the antimicrobial properties of nitric oxide-releasing nano/biomaterials to combat of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Nanotechnology has gained attention in the field of medicine because it allows the development of materials that provide efficient, targeted treatments and with less side effects, in different biomedical applications. Among the nanomaterials with great potential in biomedicine, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) have excellent potential for localized treatment, since they can be easily guided by the application of an external magnetic field. Fe3O4 NPs can be functionalized with polymers and / or nanoparticles without losing their property of interest. The functionalization of Fe3O4 NPs with porous nanoparticles, such as silicon oxide (SiO2), is a potential strategy for an efficient carrying of active ingredients, such as nitric oxide (NO) donors. NO is an endogenous molecule that controls several physiological processes such as antitumor and potent antimicrobial action. In this sense, this project proposes the development of Fe3O4 @ SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles in the core-shell structure containing nitric oxide (NO) donors, for biomedical applications. Due to their superparamagnetism, these nanoparticles can be guided to the target of interest and release NO locally. The project involves the synthesis, characterization of nanoparticles, kinetic measurements of NO release and biological tests, being an interdisciplinary project that will contribute to the critical formation of the student. (AU)