Magnetic Nanoparticle based medical diagnostics for better health
The Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, is organizing a special seminar on 'Superparamagnetic Particles for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications' by Prof. Heinrich Hofmann, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland on Monday, 18 September, 2006 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Room IE-106, Chalerm Prakiat Building.
Nanoparticles for biomedical applications such as target drug delivery, non-viral vectors for gene delivery, contrast agent for in vivo imaging (MRI) or in biosensors have to fulfill very different requirements simultaneously. To achieve the physical requirements, such as fast transport in a magnetic field gradient, local influence of the magnetic field strengths or photoluminescence the particles have to be so small that properties like superparamagnetism and quantum confinement determine the properties. From the biological point of view, the size plays also an important role regarding up take mechanism by cells or to control the colloidal behavior in contact with blood. Recent results show that even more important is the nature of the biocompatible coating of the particles and properties like surface charge and zeta potential.
In this presentation, methods for the synthesis of biocompatible particles with properties which fulfill the physical as well as the biological needs will be presented.
All interested participants are most welcome.