Tuning Silica Nanoparticles For Cell Specific Biotargeting Malvern Instruments' Zetasizer Nano Characterizes All Surface Modifications
One of the key aims in biomedical science is to develop applications that can target and deliver drug to specific cell populations. Porous, non-toxic silica based structures have potential as biocompatible vehicles for intracellular delivery of an active ingredient. However, any modification to the original particle structure, such as the addition of an imaging agent, surface coating or a targeting agent, changes both its size and surface charge. This leads to changes in the stability of the particulate system.
Using both particle sizing using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements with a Zetasizer Nano, the Finnish research team showed both direct and indirect effects on the suspension stability of functionalised silica particles as a result of surface modification. These results were published in the Journal of Nanomaterials in 2008. The team then went on, publishing results in ACS Nano in 2009 that used similar techniques to develop a multifunctional nanodevice for cancer therapy that demonstrated remarkably good cell specificity.
The size, stability and cell specificity of functionalised nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery is crucially dependent on each surface modification as well as the overall surface charge. Besides the fact that surface charge along with particle size are directly decisive for a nanoparticles’ biodistribution, other highly critical factors, such as cytotoxicity and the efficiency of cellular uptake, are associated with nanoparticle size. While the technique of dynamic light scattering (DLS) is ideally suited for the determination of particle size, zeta potential measurements indicate the repulsive force that is present and can be used to predict the long-term stability of the product. By enabling both types of measurements, with the sensitivity and resolution required to define nanoscale changes, Malvern’s Zetasizer is the ideal solution for biomedical scientists. www.malvern.com/zetasizer
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Malvern Instruments provides a range of complementary materials characterization tools that deliver inter-related measurements reflecting the complexities of particulates and disperse systems, nanomaterials and macromolecules. Analytical instruments from Malvern are used in the characterization of a wide variety of materials, from industrial bulk powders to nanomaterials and delicate macromolecules. A broad portfolio of innovative technologies is combined with intelligent, user-friendly software. These systems deliver industrially relevant data enabling our customers to make the connection between micro (such as particle size) and macro (bulk) material properties (rheology) and chemical composition (chemical imaging).
Particle size, particle shape, zeta potential, molecular weight, chemical composition and rheological properties measurements are now joined by advanced chromatography solutions (GPC/SEC), extending Malvern’s technologies for protein molecular weight, size and aggregation measurements, and synthetic polymer molecular weight and distribution. The company’s laboratory, at-line, on-line and in-line solutions are proven in sectors as diverse as cement production and pharmaceutical drug discovery.
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