Silane-modified amphiphilic chitosan was synthesized by anchoring a silane coupling agent, (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, to a novel amphiphilic carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan (CHC). The chemical structure of this new organic-inorganic hybrid molecule was characterized by FTIR and 13C-, 29Si-nuclear magnetic resonance, while the structural evolution was examined using scanning electron micros...

A well-designed nanosystem [anti-epidermal growth factor receptor-MB-encapsulated thiol-terminated silica nanoparticles (EGFR/MB-SHSi) complexes] containing silica nanoparticles and near-infrared fluorescence dye (NIRF) methylene blue (MB) was established as a tumor-targeted probe for potential lung cancer detection. The anti-EGFR/MB-SHSi complexes exhibited desirable and homogenous particle si...

In this Perspective, we discuss current challenges in artificial photosynthesis research, with a focus on the benefits of a nanowire morphology. Matching the flux between electrocatalysts and light-absorbers, and between individual semiconducting light-absorbers, are two major issues to design economically viable devices for artificial photosynthesis. With the knowledge that natural photosynthe...

Here we report a newly synthesized vectorizing nanosystem, based on hydrodispersible magnetite nanoparticles (HMNPs) with an average size less than 10 nm, obtained by precipitation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in basic solution of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential...

A bone targeting nanosystem is reported here which combined magnetic contrast agent for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and a therapeutic agent (bisphosphonates) into one drug delivery system. This new targeting nanoplatform consists of superparamagnetic γFe(2)O(3) nanoparticles conjugated to 1,5-dihydroxy-1,5,5-tris-phosphono-pentyl-phosphonic acid (di-HMBPs) molecules with a bisphosphonate f...

A potential new photosensitizer based on a dissymmetric porphyrin derivative bearing a thiol group was synthesized. 5-[4-(11-Mercaptoundecyloxy)-phenyl-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin (PR-SH) was used to functionalize gold nanoparticles in order to obtain a potential drug delivery system. Water-soluble multifunctional gold nanoparticles GNP-PR/PEG were prepared using the Brust-Schiffrin methodology...

To include electron-electron correlation effects in the nanosystem we are proposing a combined density-functional-theorydynamical-mean-field-theory (DFT + DMFT) approach, which we have recently shown to be suitable for including correlation effects in small (2-5 atoms) Fe and FePt clusters [1]. This method has several advantages as compared to the widely used DFT + U approach, the most importan...

In this work, a triple-stimuli (GSH, pH and light irradiation) responsive system were designed based on CeO2 nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) coated doxorubicin (DOX) and photosensitizer hematoporphyrin (HP) dual-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN). Upon entering into cancer cells, both high concentration of intracellular GSH and low pH environment would reduce CeO2 NPs to cerium ions, accompa...

Theranostics is an integrated nanosystem that combines therapeutics with diagnostics in attempt to develop new personalized treatments with enhanced therapeutic efficacy and safety. As a promising therapeutic paradigm with cutting-edge technologies, theranostic agents are able to simultaneously deliver therapeutic drugs and diagnostic imaging agents and also monitor the response to therapy. Pol...

Although advancements in medical technology supporting cancer diagnosis and treatment have improved survival, these technologies still have limitations. Recently, the application of noninvasive imaging for cancer diagnosis and therapy has become an indispensable component in clinical practice. However, current imaging contrasts and tracers, which are in widespread clinical use, have their intri...