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.

Location

Neville 106

Start Date

4-14-2018 9:15 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

COinS
 
Apr 14th, 9:15 AM

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.