Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPION)
Superparamagnetic Iron oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs)
Iron oxide nanoparticles exhibit size-dependent superparamagnetic behaviour. Single domain superparamagnetic materials do not display magnetization in the absence of a magnetic field and create a super spin (therefore large magnetization) when placed in a magnetic field. Ferrofluids are the most heard examples. These are colloidal suspensions of magnetic nanoparticles in a carrier liquid. In an applied external magnetic field, particles orient with the field and the fluid respond as a whole to the field. Hence, SPIONs are exploited in rheology, magnetic separation, etc. On the other hand, SPIONs are clinically used as contrast media in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and extensively evaluated for many applications such as magnetic drug delivery, cell tracking and hyperthermia.
In our group, we focus on the controlled synthesis of SPIONs to be able to tailor the size and surface chemistry of the nanoparticles for specific applications. Our product portfolio includes polymer, fatty acid, and functional silane coated SPIONs. Our expertise is on the development of tumour-specific SPIONs as theranostic nanoparticles that offer MRI imaging and site-specific drug/gene delivery. Lately, we investigate the photothermal therapy (PTT) potential of SPIONs as mono or combination therapy option both in cancer and biofilms.
We do also exploit SPIONs in the development of new magnetorhelogical dampers and in heat transfer.
Highlights:
- Treatment of breast cancer with autophagy inhibitory microRNAs carried by AGO2-conjugated nanoparticles https://rdcu.be/cuU0K
- Indocyanine green loaded APTMS coated SPIONs for dual phototherapy of cancer https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.111648
- Broad-spectrum antibacterial photodynamic and photothermal therapy achieved with indocyanine green loaded SPIONs under near-infrared irradiation. DOI: 10.1039/d0bm00821d
- Investigation of the factors affecting the photothermal therapy potential of small iron oxide nanoparticles over the 730–840 nm spectral region. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PP00203G