Image guided stimuli responsive nanoparticles for treatment of pancreatic cancer

Magnetic nanoparticles have become widely studied for biomedical applications in recent years including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nerve regeneration, drug and gene therapy. Coating the MNPs with gold results in a rigid coat shielding the external environment from the iron oxide. This results in safer particles with increased applications. Colloidal gold possess’ unique surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties. When nanoparticles are irradiated with light of appropriate wavelength, particles undergo absorption and scattering of the photons. This absorption of Au nanoparticles is followed by rapid conversion of light into heat. In biomedicine this unique property can be exploited for applications such as photo thermal ablation and thermo responsive drug delivery. Pancreatic cancer is the 4th main cancer in the western world with only 5% of patients surviving up to 5 years after treatment. There is a huge clinical need for more efficient treatments for this disease. This group is interested in the application of gold coated magnetic nanoparticles for image guided stimuli responsive drug delivery for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Candidate Profile:

Qualifications, experience, and Skills
Essential - First or upper class degree (or equivalent) chemistry, pharmacy or in any relevant scientific discipline.
Good laboratory skills.
Ability to communicate well.
English language certificate (where applicable)

Desirable:
Master's degree in relevant subject area.
Additional research experience.
Experience in scientific writing.