Engineered constructs that enhance the selectivity of therapeutic agents and novel materials that act as enhanced contrast agents represent the future of cancer care. Self assembled drug delivery vehicles composed of biocompatible amphiphilic polymers are one of the best studied and most widely used constructs for improving the therapeutic index of anticancer drugs. Similarly, quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles are nanoscale imaging agents with great potential for clinical diagnostics. This research proposal focuses on combining the delivery and targeting capabilities of biocompatible amphiphilic polymer constructs with the superior imaging capabilities of quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles. Preliminary work has focused on the development of quantum dot and magnetic nanoparticle loaded block copolymer micelles and optimization of characterization techniques. We have successfully produced micelles on the order of 20-80 nms loaded with nanoscale imaging agents of choice. The assembly process has been shown to be broadly applicable to a wide variety of polymer/nanoparticle systems. Further, we have proven that the physical properties of the loaded micelles can be tailored for applications of interest.

Future aims will investigate clinically relevant applications of micelles loaded with nanoscale imaging agents. One avenue of investigation will be labeling cancer markers on cells and clinically obtained tissue specimens to demonstrate the micelles' utility as laboratory diagnostics. Another thrust of the project will investigate applications for in vivo cancer diagnostics in xenogenic mouse models. Finally, the development of multifunctional micelles loaded with diagnostic and therapeutic agents will lay the ground work for future researchers. This research project's results will contribute to the foundation of basic research necessary for cancer nanotechnology to achieve clinical significance.

Publications and Presentation

Publications
MN Rhyner, AM Smith, SM Nie.  Controlled Assembly of Quantum Dot Clusters in Biocompatible Block Copolymer Micelles.  Journal of the American Chemical Society.  In preparation.

MN Rhyner, AM Smith, X Gao, H Mao, L Yang, and SM Nie.  Quantum Dots and Targeted Nanoparticle Probes for In-vivo Tumor Imaging.  Springer Book Chapter.  In press. 2007

AM Smith, G Ruan, MN Rhyner, SM Nie.  Engineering Luminescent Quantum Dots for In Vivo Molecular and Cellular Imaging.  Annals of Biomedical Engineering. 34, 1, 1-12.  2006.

MN Rhyner, AM Smith, X Gao, H Mao, L Yang, and SM Nie.  Quantum Dots and Multifunctional Nanoparticles: New Contrast Agents for Tumor Imaging.  Nanomedicine.  Vol. 1, No. 2, Pages 189-199.  2006.

AM Smith, H Duan, MN Rhyner, G Ruan, SM Nie.  A Systematic Examination of Surface Coatings on the Optical and Chemical Properties of Semiconductor Quantum Dots.  Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 8 (33) 3895-3903. 2006.

Patents
MN Rhyner, SM Nie, AM Smith. Micellar Structures, Methods of Making Micellar Structures, Methods of Imaging, and Methods of Delivering Agents. Provisional Patent in Preparation with Emory Office of Tech Transfer and the Law Firm Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer, and Risely.

Posters
Frontiers in Cancer Nanotechnology
Braselton, GA
Mar '06
MN Rhyner, HW Duan, BA Kairdolf, and SM Nie.  Development of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Nanoparticle Agents Using Amphiphilic Polymers.

Winship Cancer Institute Symposium
Atlanta, GA
Sept '03
MN Rhyner, AM Smith, A Agrawal, D Ansari, X Gao, T Sathe, G Ruan, YK Li, SM Nie.  Biomolecular Engineering and Nanotechnology for Translational Cancer Research.

Conferences
Georgia Life Sciences Summit
Atlanta, GA
Oct '07
Plenary Session: TIGON Nanostrategies

Controlled Release Society Conference
Long Beach, CA
Jul '07
Bioconjugated Nanoparticles for Molecular Imaging and Drug Delivery

Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting.
Chicago, IL
Oct '06
Self Assembly of Hydrophobic Nanoparticles and Amphiphilic Polymers for Disease Diagnostics

Nanomedicine And Drug Delivery; Brooklyn Polytechnic University Brooklyn, NY
Aug '04

Business Plan Competitions
Idea to Product International Competition
Austin, TX
Nov '06
Team captured 2nd place

Nanochallenge
Padua, Italy
Nov '06
Team captured 2nd place

Georgia Bowl
Kennesaw, GA
Feb '07
Team finished 3rd

Georgia Tech Business Plan Competition
Atlanta, GA
Feb '07
Team won 1st prize

Nanonexus Idea to Product Competition
Oak Ridge, TN
Mar '07
Finalists

• Placed in top 3 in several international business plan competitions, winning over $15,000 in prizes
• Featured in Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine, Atlanta Business Chronicle, and Management Dean Update
• National Science Foundation Fellowship (2004-2007)
• Drug Delivery Fellowship, Graduate Assistantship in Areas of National Need (2003-2004)