Optimization of intrinsic luminescence in hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for cell imaging application

• Grant number: 22/14435-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2023
• End date: January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Thales Rafael Machado
• Grantee: Lívia Gabrielle Pacífico
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The calcium phosphates (CaPs) costitute a family of materials widely used in tissue engineering, medicine, and biotechnology, due to properties such as high biocompatibility, bioactivity and biodegradability. In the form of nanoparticles (NPs), CaPs and, specially, hydroxyapatite (HA), has been explored in modern nanomedicine as an important tool for diagnosis and therapy of diseases including cancer, in which such functions can be exploited simultaneously or separately (i.e., theranostic nanoplatforms). Specifically, the diagnostic function of HA NPs is explored mainly via the enhancement of their photoluminescent properties, being used for bioimaging of cells and various biological structures . This project aims the synthesis and characterization of HA NPs aiming to improve its intrinsic photoluminescence through the manipulation of defects in the crystalline lattice. The synthesized particles will be characterized in powder and suspension forms in terms of their structural, morphological, optical and photoluminescent properties. The main challenge is to improve the photoluminescence of HA through a simple and low-cost synthesis, seeking accessibility of this material for diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, including several types of cancers.