The Synthesis of Monodisperse, Paclitaxel-Conjugated, Silica Nanodots (5-25nm)
School Name
Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Biochemistry
Presentation Type
Mentored
Oral Presentation Award
2nd Place
Abstract
Paclitaxel is an anti-cancer drug, often used in chemotherapy, to treat almost all types of solid tumor cancers. The cell population in a tumor tissue can be divided into two distinct groups, namely the differentiated cells that make up >95% of the cells and the stem-like cells or CSCs with <5%. Although CSCs constitute a relatively small fraction of cancer cells, they are highly resistant to therapy as they prevent the drug from entering the cell cytoplasm and replenish lost cells after therapy. Paclitaxel is most effective when given as an injection, but prolonged use can lead to drug resistance in the CSC cells. One way to increase the efficiency of Paclitaxel is to tag them with nanoparticles that have a small size (5-20nm) and can bypass the internal defense system. The aim of this research is to synthesize monodisperse, paclitaxel-conjugated nanodots. The particles were synthesized using a silica based powder, TEOS (Tetra Ethyl Ortho Silicate), mixed with ammonium buffer, (pH 9), followed by a DLS, dynamic light scattering machine to measure particle size. The particles were then attached to paclitaxel, and an NMR, or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, was used to confirm the conjugating of paclitaxel. The product will be tested on cancer cell lines. This research was successful in synthesizing nanoparticles of size 5-25nm, and the paclitaxel was also successfully tagged. But, due to time constraints, they were not tested on cell lines.
Recommended Citation
Occilien, Jason, "The Synthesis of Monodisperse, Paclitaxel-Conjugated, Silica Nanodots (5-25nm)" (2018). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 3.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2018/all/3
Location
Neville 106
Start Date
4-14-2018 9:15 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
The Synthesis of Monodisperse, Paclitaxel-Conjugated, Silica Nanodots (5-25nm)
Neville 106
Paclitaxel is an anti-cancer drug, often used in chemotherapy, to treat almost all types of solid tumor cancers. The cell population in a tumor tissue can be divided into two distinct groups, namely the differentiated cells that make up >95% of the cells and the stem-like cells or CSCs with <5%. Although CSCs constitute a relatively small fraction of cancer cells, they are highly resistant to therapy as they prevent the drug from entering the cell cytoplasm and replenish lost cells after therapy. Paclitaxel is most effective when given as an injection, but prolonged use can lead to drug resistance in the CSC cells. One way to increase the efficiency of Paclitaxel is to tag them with nanoparticles that have a small size (5-20nm) and can bypass the internal defense system. The aim of this research is to synthesize monodisperse, paclitaxel-conjugated nanodots. The particles were synthesized using a silica based powder, TEOS (Tetra Ethyl Ortho Silicate), mixed with ammonium buffer, (pH 9), followed by a DLS, dynamic light scattering machine to measure particle size. The particles were then attached to paclitaxel, and an NMR, or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, was used to confirm the conjugating of paclitaxel. The product will be tested on cancer cell lines. This research was successful in synthesizing nanoparticles of size 5-25nm, and the paclitaxel was also successfully tagged. But, due to time constraints, they were not tested on cell lines.
