Date: Sept. 8th, 2016 (Thursday)
Time: 8:30 pm (Beijing) / 8:30 am (Atlanta)
Location: 
New 1st COE Building, Room 210 (PKU campus at Beijing)
U.A. Whitaker Building, Room 3115 (McIntire Room, GT campus at Atlanta)

Committee:

Dr. Qiushi Ren (Advisor, PKU-BME)

Dr. Younan Xia (Co-Advisor, GT-BME)

Dr. Zhifei Dai (PKU-BME)

Dr. Changhui Li (PKU-BME)

Dr. Mingyuan Gao (Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemistry)

Development of Au Nanoparticle-Based Theranostic Agents for Molecular Imaging and Cancer Therapy

Cancer has become a leading cause of human death and a great threat to public health worldwide. With the help of molecular imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography, early detection of cancer could be achieved, greatly reducing the mortality for certain cancers. Nanoparticles possess remarkable physicochemical properties with a promising future in the application of cancer theranostics. Among the various kinds of nanoparticles, Au nanoparticlespossess unique properties such as bio-inertness, readily tuned optical properties, as well as easily conjugated surface in addition to the shared merits of nanoparticles. Imaging probes and therapeutic agents are increasingly integrated with Au nanoparticles engineered with optimal sizes, shapes, and surface properties, aiming to prolong their blood circulation half-life, improve their bio-distribution as well as targeting selectivity, and ultimately reduce their side effects. Here, we hypothesize that engineered Au nanoparticles can be preferentially delivered to cancer lesion for improved diagnosis with molecular imaging methods, and facilitate the therapy of cancer. In the proposed works, we will develop Au nanoparticles with novel tripod-morphology and investigate their optical properties as well as bio-distribution profiles. Innovative radiolabeling and targeting techniques will also be developed for improved radiolabeling stability and in vivo tumor targeting capabilities. New medical isotope (Au-199) and detection methods will be introduced to Au nanoparticles for better imaging quality.