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Research
Overview
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The research interest of our group focuses on the development of new paradigm for understanding the interaction between nanomaterials and biological systems, and we also have interests in exploiting innovative strategies for utilization of nanomaterials in biomedical applications. A variety of projects were tackled with multidisciplinary approaches that combine synthetic and material chemistry with molecular, cell, and animal biology, spanning fundamental research, proof of principle demonstrations, and finally, product development. Currently, we put a particular emphasis on the photoelectronic properties of nanomaterials related to manipulation of biological responses and disease therapeutic effects.
1. Toxicological effect and safety-by-design of nanomaterials. The toxicological responses of nanomaterials have been closely correlated to nanomaterials’ physicochemical properties, and establishment of a property-activity relationship of nanomaterials is favorable for deep understanding the nanomaterials’ toxicity mechanism, prospectively predicting nanomaterials’ potential hazards and rationally design the safer nanomaterials.
Overlap of conduction band energy of metal oxide nanoparticles with biological redox potential range can trigger electron transfer from biological system to nanomaterials, causing oxidative injury in cells and animals. (H. Zhang, A. Nel* et al; ACS Nano 2012, 6, 4349-4368; H. Zhang, A. Nel*, et al; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2014, 135, 6406-6420. )
Among silanol and siloxane groups on the surface of silica nanomaterials, three membered siloxane was determined responsible for sticking to extracellular membrnae and dramatically breaking the membrane through leasing free radicals. (H. Zhang, C.J. Brinker* et al; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2012, 134, 15790-15804. )
The distinct atomic arrangement on crystallographic planes can result in different surface reactivity, potentially capable of causing different magnetudes of toxicity. (N. Liu, H. Zhang*, et al; ACS Nano, 2016, 10, 6062- 6073; Y. Chang, H. Zhang*, et al; Nanotoxicology 2017, 11, 907-922.)
2. Phototherapy of nanomaterials. Photothermal (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) have attracted considerable attention as non-invasive therapeutic techniques for cancer treatment due to its unique advantages such as remote controllability, improved selectivity, and low systemic toxicity. For PDT, irreversible damage to malignant tumors is realized by reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are generated from the photosensitizer (PS) upon exposure to external incident light. For PTT, a photothermal agent (PTA) is employed for selective local heating of the diseased region to induce a hyperthermic effect upon light irradiation, which causes denaturation of proteins and disruption to the cytomembrane, thus leading to a destruction of diseased tissue eventually.
The deep level defects (Bis and Vs) in Bi2S3 nanorods were found playing a critical role in exhibition of excellent phothermal performance. After incorporation of gold nanodots into Bi2S3 nanorods, the formed B2S3-Au heterojunction nanorods could present more potent photothermal performance, resulting in more significant in vitro and in vivo therapeutic effects for cancer. (Y. Cheng, H. Zhang*, et al; Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018, 57, 246-251.)
The resonance energy transfer from Au core to CuS shell can significantly enhance the phothermal and photodynamic performance in Au-CuS yolk-shell nanoparticles due to improved d electron transition and hydroxyl radical generation. Inside multiple reflection can prolong the path of light, leading to enhanced light utilization efficiency. (Y. Chang, H. Zhang*, et al; Nano Lett. 2018, 18, 886-897.)
3. Gene screening in three dimensional (3D) cell culture medium. Gene can be loaded onto magnetic nanoparticles for gene screening use in 3D cells that are embeded in hydrogel matrix. External magnetic field can be used to advance the gene transfection efficiency. This technique can be further developed for gene screening in 3D cell chips. (H. Zhang, S. Sharfstein*, ACS Nano, 2010,4,4733-4743; H. Zhang, S. Sharfstein*, Small 2012, 8, 2091-2098.)
4. Bacteria inactivation and wound healing.
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5. Nanomaterial-mediated stem cell differentiation and tissue engineering.
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