Characterization of nanocomposites and their interaction with cellular tissue by SNOM techniques for the purpose of new drugs

• Grant number: 22/07199-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2022
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Principal Investigator: Niklaus Ursus Wetter
• Grantee: Diego Roberto da Cunha Pascoal
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/50332-0 - Scientific, technological and infrastructure qualification in radiopharmaceuticals, radiation and entrepreneurship for health purposes (PDIp), AP.PDIP

Abstract

IPEN is largely responsible for the development of Nuclear Medicine in Brazil and other Latin American Countries. IPEN has pioneered in the introduction of new radiopharmaceuticals, their distribution and logistics, which involve the handling of radioisotopes, with quality, to be injected into human beings with the correct nuclear activity for medical use. As a leader in the health sector in the Country, it is of fundamental importance that the institute has the means to visualize molecular structures such as cells, proteins and molecules on a nanometer scale through light. The proposed work plan will allow mapping ultrastructural changes and cellular alterations before and after a given treatment, whether by laser (PDT), nanoparticles, brachytherapy or radiopharmaceuticals. This work plan will be of fundamental importance for the characterization and manufacture of inputs and devices necessary for the various treatments in question, such as functionalized nanoparticles and optofluidic microcircuits used in pocket laboratories (lab-on-chip) in health. The SNOM imaging technique provides a powerful fluorescence-free method to study the interaction between biological tissues (cells) and drug agents (such as radiopharmaceuticals, nanoparticles, etc.) at a much higher resolution than conventional light microscopy. The project will have external professors as effective project participants, including project goals, which are highly qualified in SNOM techniques: Prof. Raul de Oliveira Freitas from LNLS, specialist in s-SNOM (scattering SNOM and TERS) and Prof. Antonio Domingues dos Santos from IFUSP, who built a SNOM and has been working in this area since 2002 with a focus on magnetism. (AU)