Chemotherapeutics are widely used and still provide the best survival chance for cancer patients. Chemotherapy drugs, however, also damage normal cells in the body, leading to many side effects that have been limiting their effectiveness. To address these problems, nanomedicines, a drug delivery strategy based on nanoparticles encapsulating toxic chemotherapeutics, have emerged and held great promises for the next generation of targeted cancer treatment to reduce systemic side effects.
This project aims to formulate multifunctional lipid nanoparticles that can provide sustained release and targeted delivery of anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. Extensive investigation of structure – function relationship between lipid nanostructures and solubility and release of drugs will be performed in vitro and in vivo. First, advanced biophysical techniques such as small angle X-ray scattering, cryogenic transmission electron miscroscopy, HPLC will be employed. Second, biochemical assays such as bioconjugation, gel electrophoresis, ligand binding assays, in vitro cell viability and cell uptake assays will also be performed to confirm the recognition of cancer cells by nanoparticles. Biological functions and therapeutic efficacy of the developed nanoparticles will be evaluated in vivo using animal cancer xenograft models.
This project would suit a HDR candidate with an interest in nanotechnology and chemistry. This project is a collaborative interdisciplinary project that offers training on nanoparticle formulation, colloid and surface chemistry characterisation, and the evaluation of bio-nanomaterials in vitro and in vivo.
Please note that due to the current COVID-19 situation and Australian border control, we are unable to offer scholarship to international offshore applicants. We thank you for your understanding.
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