PHOTORELEASE

Fabrication of particles with photo receptors: bio-analytical application such as controlled drug delivery

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The importance of carbon-based materials in biological applications has been recognized. Especially, nanodiamond particles (referred to as nanodiamonds, NDs) have started to emerge as novel candidate for promising applications in the field of nano-biotechnology as imaging probes and drug carriers. NDs do not show the toxicity of other nanoparticles, notably gold, making them ideal nanoscale drug delivery platforms. Furthermore, NDs can exhibit intrinsic fluorescence from point defects making them candidates for biomedical imaging applications. ND particles are particularly attractive for biomedical applications as functionalization and biomolecule immobilization are readily accomplished. Triggered drug release allows the functionalized NDs to find their targets before the drugs are activated by local conditions. In this sense, the NDs are performing the well established role of postdrugs, smuggeling the inactive compound to their targets where they are released through bond cleavage. The objective of the proposed program concerns the fabrication of NDs modified with photo-label linkers where different molecules can be directly attached, without chemically modification of the biomolecule itself. In a proof of principle, horse radish peroxidase (HRP) will be linked to NDs modified with the photo-label o-nitrobenzyl group and the release followed by UV/Vis. In a later state the controlled release of drugs such as ibuprofen, adriamycin or antigens will be looked at. The proposed research project brings together centers from France, the UK, Spain and the Ukrain. The network offers training in the fabrication and characterization of new materials for biological applications.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Modern medicine seems to increasingly depend on advances in nanotechnology. European scientists used diamond nanoparticles to develop novel strategies for fighting off bacterial infections.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Bacteria have the unique capacity to grow in biofilm communities that pose a great health threat. Microorganisms in biofilms interact together to evade immune system responses and enhance their tolerance towards antibiotics. As a result, biofilm-based infections are very difficult to eradicate.

To make matters worse, the injudicious use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, aggravating the threat of biofilm-related infections. To address the issue of resistance, scientists directed their efforts to the design of non-biocidal strategies as alternatives to antibiotics. One such approach utilises anti-adhesive molecules to prevent the initial interaction of bacteria with medical device surfaces.

The EU-funded 'Fabrication of particles with photo receptors: bio-analytical application such as controlled drug delivery' (PHOTORELEASE) consortium decided to develop nanoparticles that display activity against biofilms. They selected diamond nanoparticles, also called nanodiamonds as they are inert, biocompatible, and importantly, they are easily functionalised based on the application. Nanodiamonds are increasingly being used as imaging probes and drug carriers.

PHOTORELEASE researchers developed sugar-coated nanodiamonds as novel inhibitors for Escherichia coli-based biofilm formation. Optimisation activities led to nanodiamonds with improved functionalisation that displayed significantly improved anti-biofilm activity.

The unique properties of diamond nanoparticles render them promising for a variety of applications. With the imminent threat of antibiotic-resistant strains, such engineered biomaterials could prove vital for the treatment of infections.