Materials World Network: Anisotropic Colloidal Magnetic Nanostructures

1. Materials World Network: Anisotropic Colloidal Magnetic Nanostructures Vinayak P. Dravid, Northwestern University, DMR 0603184 Towards Targeting “Soft” Cancer Cells with “Hard” Ceramic Nanostructures Core-shell nanostructures Complex magnetic oxide nanostructures Acicular magnetic nanostructures Intellectual Merit: Recent decade has witnessed remarkable convergence of physical sciences, engineering, and biology, which promises advances in fundamental understanding of interfaces across disciplines with potential for defining technologies. Towards this broad theme, our project is aimed at synthesis of novel and “intelligent” magnetic nanostructures, which can be targeted to cancer cells with appropriate surface receptors for in-vivo imaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and site- and target specific therapy with thermal activation of magnetic nanostructures. Targeting magnetic nanostructures to Medulloblastoma (brain cancer) cells Activation by Magnetic Field • Montage of images of new chemical synthesis approach for: • Complex magnetic oxide nanostructures (Left) • Silica-shell protected magnetic nanostructures (Top) • Acicular anisotropic iron oxide nanostructures (Right) • Targeted nanostructures to medualloblastoma (brain cancer cells), nuclei are • labeled “blue” and magnetic nanostructure target by “green” (Bottom)

2. Broader Impact: An important component of the project is international research and partnership outreach to India, specifically the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IITB), India. The IITB team led by Prof. D. Bahadur, is engaged with our group in carrying out complementary research in the area of magnetic nanocomposite synthesis and cellular transfection studies. Mutual research collaboration visits by respective project members, especially students, are planned, along with cyber-research and information exchange. As a part of this collaboration, Northwestern group is currently hosting a final year PhD student from IITB, Mr. Barick Kanhu, who will spend fall 2007 quarter at NU conducting research in magnetic nanostructure theme. A bright young high school intern, Mr. Sam Nayak, conducted research during the summer of 2006 in PI group and will continue to participate once a week during remainder of the academic year. A joint US-India conference on this theme is being planned in early 2009, to coincide with the Golden Jubilee year of IITB. Materials World Network: Anisotropic Colloidal Magnetic Nanostructures Vinayak P. Dravid, Northwestern University, DMR 0603184 International Outreach: Research Collaboration with IIT Bombay, India High School Intern, Sam Nayak (Right) of the IMSA High School, is currently working with Mr. Barick Kanhu (Left), a visiting PhD student from IIT Bombay, India, on synthesis procedure for magnetic nanostructures.