Abstract

Advanced Nanomaterials for Future Therapeutics

Chittaranjan Patra, Scientist & Ramanujan Fellow (DST, New Delhi) , Indian Institute of Chemical Technology

Recent research in nanomedicine by several investigators offers for the development of innovative techniques that could be extensively useful towards biomedical applications. Due to unique fundamental physicochemical characterizations, nanomaterials or nanoparticles based drug delivery systems have been widely investigated for the development of alternative theranostic strategy for several diseases like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Our group at IICT is currently pursuing various nanomedicine research projects aimed at developing advanced nanomaterials and nanoparticles based drug delivery systems (DDS) for treatment of cancer, cardiovascular /ischemic disease and wound healing. Recently, we have designed and developed nanoparticles like europium hydroxide nanorods (EHNs), zinc oxide nanoflowers (ZON), graphene oxides and gold nanoparticles that exhibit excellent pro-angiogenic activities (Angiogenesis: formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature). Considering the role of angiogenesis in our healthcare system, these nanoparticles could be useful for the development of alternative treatment strategy in cardiovascular related diseases where angiogenesis plays an important role. Also we designed and fabricated gold, silver and other metal nanoparticles based drug delivery systems (DDS) that show significant inhibition of cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo suggesting the future application for cancer theranostics. Our exciting in vitro and in vivo results will open up new direction for the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular related diseases using nanomedicine approach.