Current Research Studies
Nanotechnology

The Department of Neurological Surgery is currently conducting the following studies in Nanotechnology:

• Nanotechnology platform for Pediatric Brain Cancer Imaging and Therapy
• Multifunctional Nanovector for Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Brain Cancer
• Nanovectors For Brain Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment

Nanotechnology Platform for Pediatric Brain Cancer Imaging and Therapy

Principal Investigator: Miqin Zhang, PhD
Co-Investigator: Richard Ellenbogen, MD
Funded By: National Institures of Health (NIH)

The developmental aims of this proposal are to:

1. Develop a tumor targeted dual MR and optical contrast agent that will negotiate the blood brain barrier to enable presurgical planning and inntraoperative visualization of tumor margins in mouse flank and intracranial models
2. Evaluate pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, extravasation, intratumoral distribution, and toxicity of developed system to determine optimal preparation
3. Complete preclinical research and development of best nanoparticle system for presurgical planning and intraoperative visualization of pediatric brain

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Multifunctional Nanovector for Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Brain Cancer

Principal Investigator: Miqin Zhang, PhD
Co-Investigator: Richard Ellenbogen, MD
Funded By: National Institures of Health (NIH)

The major goal is to develop biopolymer based multifunctional nanovectors for effective DNA delivery. Specific aims of the proposed research are to:

1. Design, synthesize, characterize the nanovector core-shell structure immobilized with targeting agents, and validate its optical and MR contrast capability
2. Apply the optimal tumor targeted MRI/NIRF nanoconjugate to deliver therapeutic DNA encoding BMP-2 and study its efficacy in gene transfection and inducing apoptosis in vitro
3. Validate and quantify nanovector cell targeting, transfection, apoptosis, toxicity, biodistribution in vivo in mouse flank and intracranial models of medulloblastoma

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Nanovectors For Brain Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment

Principal Investigator: Miqin Zhang, PhD
Co-Investigator: Richard Ellenbogen, MD
Funded By: National Institures of Health (NIH)

Specific research aims are to:

1. Synthesize and characterize tumor-targeted MR and/or optical nanoconjugates for siRNA delivery
2. Evaluate and optimize nanovectors for siRNA delivery in vitro against commercially-available siRNA delivery methods
3. Demonstrate nanovector siRNA delivery in medulloblastoma in vitro and in vivo against commercially-available siRNA delivery methods

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