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Autonomous Nano-Devices for Biomedical Applications:
Single
or schools of nanodevices serve as roaming nano-sensors or
nano-activators, based on their local biochemical.
biophysical or quantum physics interactions, and their
remote photonic, magnetic or electric communication.
The 20
– 200 nm chemical and physical nanosensors have been
designed, synthesized and used for non-perturbative
imaging in live cells. This imaging tracks small molecules
(oxygen, glucose, etc.), radicals (OH, superoxide, etc.),
ions (calcium, potassium, etc.), as well as local physical
parameters (electric, magnetic, mechanical, thermal). They
have been instrumental in the elucidation of the roles of
toxins, bacteria and metabolic processes in specific
cells. Collaborators are Professors Roy Clarke (Applied
Physics), Carol Fierke (Chemical Biology), Martin Philbert
(Neurotoxicology) and Ann-Marie Sastry (Biomedical
Engineering).
The 20
-100 nm nano-activators are bio-targeted modular
nano-platforms for enhanced in-vivo imaging (optical,
MRI, etc.) and diagnostics, as well as therapy (radiation,
photodynamic, etc.). They have been used successfully in
the detection, monitoring and therapy of brain cancer
models in rats. They have also been shown to be non-toxic,
bio-degradable and bio-eliminable, with controllable
residence times and no evident side effects. Steps towards
FDA approval have been taken. Collaborators are Professors
Martin Philbert (SPH)
and Al Rehemtulla, Brian Ross and Oren Sagher (Medical
School).
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Research 
