Cancer accounts for nearly 1 out of every 4 deaths in the United States, and because conventional treatments are limited by morbidity and off-target toxicities, improvements in cancer management are needed. This thesis further develops nanoparticle-assisted photothermal therapy (NAPT) as a viable treatment option for cancer patients. NAPT enables localized ablation of disease because heat generation only occurs where tissue permissive near-infrared (NIR) light and absorbing nanoparticles are combined, leaving surrounding normal tissue unharmed. Two principle approaches were investigated to improve the specificity of this technique: multimodal imaging and molecular targeting. Multimodal imaging affords the ability to guide NIR laser application for site-specific NAPT and more holistic characterization of disease by combining the advantages of several diagnostic technologies. Towards the goal of image-guided NAPT, gadolinium-conjugated gold-silica nanoshells were engineered and demonstrated to enhance imaging contrast across a range of diagnostic modes, including T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, X-Ray, optical coherence tomography, reflective confocal microscopy, and two-photon luminescence in vitro as well as within an animal tumor model. Additionally, the nanoparticle conjugates were shown to effectively convert NIR light to heat for applications in photothermal therapy. Therefore, the broad utility of gadolinium-nanoshells for anatomic localization of tissue lesions, molecular characterization of malignancy, and mediators of ablation was established. Molecular targeting strategies may also improve NAPT by promoting nanoparticle uptake and retention within tumors and enhancing specificity when malignant and normal tissue interdigitate. Here, ephrinA1 protein ligands were conjugated to nanoshell surfaces for particle homing to overexpressed EphA2 receptors on prostate cancer cells. In vitro, successful targeting and subsequent photothermal ablation of prostate cancer cells was achieved with negligible nanoshell binding to normal cells. In vivo however, ephrinA1-nanoshells did not promote enhanced therapeutic outcomes in mice bearing subcutaneous prostate cancer tumors treated with NAPT compared to nontargeted particles. Nonetheless, both treatment groups demonstrated effective ablation of prostate tumors, as evidenced by tumor tissue regression. Further investigation is warranted to overcome probable protein immunogenicity that offsets ephrinA1 targeting in vivo. With future study, photothermal therapy with multimodal gadolinium-conjugated and molecularly targeted nanoshells may offer a viable treatment option for cancer patients in the clinic.

Gold nanoshells (GNS) are a new class of nanoparticles that can be optically tuned to scatter or absorb light from the near-ultraviolet to near-infrared (NIR) region by varying the core (dielectric silica) /shell (gold) ratio. In addition to spectral tunability, GNS are inert and bioconjugatable making them potential labels for in vivo imaging and therapy of tumors. We report the use of GNS as exogenous contrast agents for enhanced visualization of tumors using narrow band imaging (NBI). NBI takes advantage of the strong NIR absorption of GNS to distinguish between blood and nanoshells in the tumor by imaging in narrow wavelength bands in the visible and NIR, respectively. Using tissue-simulating phantoms, we determined the optimum wavelengths to enhance contrast between blood and GNS. We then used the optimum wavelengths for ex-vivo imaging of tumors extracted from human colon cancer xenograft bearing mice injected with GNS. Systemically delivered GNS accumulated passively in tumor xenografts by enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Ex-Vivo NBI of tumor xenografts demonstrated tumor specific heterogeneous distribution of GNS with a clear distinction from the tumor vasculature. The results of the present study demonstrate the feasibility of using GNS as contrast agents to visualize tumor tissues using NBI technique. / text

The work reported in this dissertation describes the design and synthesis of different gold nanoshells with strong absorption coefficients at the near-infrared region (NIR) of the spectrum, and includes preliminary studies of their use for the photo-induced heating of pancreatic cancer cells and ex vivo tissues. As the emphasis was on gold nanoshells with maximum extinctions located at 800 nm, the methods explored for their synthesis led us to the preparation of silica-core and hollow gold nanoshells of improved stability, with maximum extinctions at or beyond the targeted within the near-infrared window. The synthesis of silica-core gold nanoshells was investigated first given its relevance as one of the pioneering methods to produce gold nanostructures with strong absorption and scattering coefficients in the visible and the near-infrared regions of the spectrum. By using a classical method of synthesis, we explored the aging of the precursor materials and the effect of using higher concentrations than the customary for the reduction of gold during the shell growth. We found that the aging for one week of the as-prepared or purified precursors, namely, the gold cluster suspensions, and the seeded silica particles, along with higher concentrations of gold in the plating solution, produced fully coated nanoshells of 120 nm in size with smooth surfaces and maximum extinctions around 800 nm. Additional work carried out to reduce the time and steps in the synthesis of silica-core gold nanoshells, led us to improve the seeding step by increasing the ionic strength of the cluster suspension, and also to explore the growth of gold on tin-seeded silica nanoparticles. The synthesis of hollow gold nanoshells (HGS) of with maximum extinctions at the NIR via the galvanic replacement of silver nanoparticles for gold in solution was explored next. A first method explored led us to obtain HGS with maximum extinctions between 650 and 800 nm and sizes between 30 and 80 nm from silver nanoparticles, which were grown by the addition of silver nitrate and a mild reducer. We developed a second method that led us to obtain HGS with maximum extinctions between 750 and 950 nm by adjusting the pH of the precursor solution of the silver particles without much effort or additional steps. The last part of this work consisted in demonstrating the photo-induced heating of two biological systems containing HGS. Photothermal therapy studies of immobilized PANC1 pancreas cancer cells in well-plates were carried out with functionalized HGS. We found that cells exposed to HGS remained viable after incubation. Moreover, the cells incubated with HGS modified with mercaptoundecanoic acid and folic acid turned non-viable after being irradiated with a laser at 800 nm. The other study consisted in the laser-induced heating between 750 and 1000 nm of ex vivo tissues of chicken and pork with nanoshells injected. In comparison with non-injected tissues, it was found that the temperature at the irradiated areas with HGS increased more than 10 °C. Moreover, the extent of the heated area was broader when the laser was used at wavelengths beyond 900 nm, suggesting that the heating was due to the radiation absorbed and transformed into heat primarily by the HGS and at a lesser extent by the water in the tissue.

No description available.

This dissertation comprises experimental studies on the synthesis and applications of metallic nanoshells. These are a class of nanoparticles composed of a dielectric core and a thin metallic shell. Metallic nanoshells play an important role in nanotechnology, particularly in nanomedicine, due to their peculiar optical properties. The overall objectives of the dissertation were to improve the fabrication of these nanoparticles, and to demonstrate new applications of these materials in cancer research and spectroscopy. The fabrication of nanoshells is a multi-step process. Previously to our work, the procedures for the synthesis of nanoshells reported in the literature lacked systematic characterization of the various steps. The procedure was extremely time-consuming and the results demonstrated a high degree of size variation. In Chapter 3, we have developed characterization tools that provide checkpoints for each step of the synthesis. We demonstrated that it is possible to control the degree of coverage on the shell for a fixed amount of reagents, and also showed important differences on the shell growth phase for gold and silver. The synthetic optimization presented in Chapter 3 led to an overall faster protocol than those previously reported. Although the improvements presented in Chapter 3 led to a higher degree of control on the synthesis of nanoshells, the variations in the resulting particle population were still too large for applications in single particle spectroscopy and imaging. In Chapter 4, the synthesis was completely reformulated, aiming to narrow the size distribution of the nanoshell colloids. Through the use of a reverse microemulsion, we were able to fabricate ultramonodisperse silica (SiO2) cores, which translate into nanoshell colloids with narrow extinction bands that are comparable to those of a single nanoshell. We then fabricate a library of colloids with different core sizes, shell thicknesses and composition (gold or silver). The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of these colloids span across the visible range. From this library, two nanoshells (18nm silver on a 50nm SiO2 core, and 18nm gold on a 72nm SiO2 core) were selected for a proof of principle cell imaging experiment. The silver nanoshells were coated with a nuclear localization signal, allowing it to target the nuclear membrane. The gold nanoshells were coated with an antibody that binds to a receptor on the plasma membrane of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. The nanoshells were easily distinguishable by eye in a dark field microscope and successful targeting was demonstrated by hyperspectral dark field microscopy. A comparison was made between fluorescent phalloidin and nanoshells, showing the superior photostability of the nanoparticles for long-term cell imaging. The results from Chapter 4 suggest that the nanoshells obtained by our new synthetic route present acceptable particle-to-particle variations in their optical properties that enables single particle extinction spectroscopy for cell imaging. In Chapter 5 we explored the use of these nanoshells for single-particle Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Notice that particle-to-particle variations in SERS are expected to be more significant than in extinction spectroscopy. This is because particle-to-particle SERS variabilities are driven by subtle changes in geometric parameters (particle size, shape, roughness). Two types of gold nanoshells were prepared and different excitation wavelengths (λex) were evaluated, respective to the LSPR of the nanoshells. Individual scattering spectra were acquired for each particle, for a total of 163 nanoshells, at two laser excitation wavelengths (632.8 nm and 785 nm). The particle-to-particle variations in SERS intensity were evaluated and correlated to the efficiency of the scattering at the LSPR peak. Chapter 6 finally shows the application of gold nanoshells as a platform for the direct visualization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). 4T1 breast cancer cells were transduced with a non-native target protein (Thy1.1) and an anti-Thy1.1 antibody was conjugated to gold nanoshells. The use of a transduced target creates the ideal scenario for the assessment of nonspecific binding. On the in vitro phase of the study, non-transduced cells were used as a negative control. In this phase, parameters such as incubation times and nanoshell concentration were established. A murine model was then developed with the transduced 4T1 cells for the ex vivo portion of the work. Non-transduced cells were implanted in a control group. Blood was drawn from mice in both groups over the course of 29 days. Antibody-conjugated nanoshells were incubated with the blood samples and detection of single CTCs was achieved in a dark field microscope. Low levels of nonspecific binding were observed in the control group for non-transduced cells and across different cell types normally found in peripheral blood (e.g. lymphocytes). All positive and negative subjects were successfully identified. Chapter 7 provides an outlook of the work presented here and elaborates on possible directions to further develop the use of nanoshells in bioapplications and spectroscopy. / Graduate / 2019-05-03

Strongly coupled plasmon-exciton hybrid nanostructures are fabricated and their optical properties are studied. The plasmonic and excitonic systems are gold nanoshells and J-aggregates, respectively. Gold nanoshells are tunable plasmonic core-shell nanoparticles which can sustain distinct dipole and quadrupole plasmons with resonant energies dependent on core-size/shell-thickness ratio. J-aggregates are organic semiconducting material with excitons that possess very high oscillator strength making them suitable for coherent interaction with other kinds of excitations. The J-aggregates are formed on the surface of the nanoshells when a water/ethanol (50:50) solution of the dye molecules (2,2'-dimethyl-8-phenyl-5,6,5',6'-dibenzothiacarbocyanine chloride) is added to an aqueous solution of nanoshells. These nanoshell-J-aggregate complexes exhibit coherent coupling between localized plasmons of the nanoshell and excitons of the molecular J-aggregates. Coherent coupling strengths of 120 meV and 100 meV have been measured for dipole and quadrupole plasmon interactions with excitons, respectively. Femtosecond time-resolved transmission spectroscopy studies are carried out in order to understand the possible sources of optical nonlinearities in the nanoshell-J-aggregate hybrid. Transient absorption of the interacting plasmon-exciton system is observed, in dramatic contrast to the photoinduced transmission of the pristine J-aggregate. An additional, transient Fano-shaped modulation within the Fano dip is also observable. The transient behavior of the J-aggregate-Au nanoshell complex is described by a combined one-exciton and two-exciton state model coupled to the nanoshell plasmon.

Recent advances in nanotechnology and the biotechnology revolution have created an immense opportunity for the use of noble metal nanoparticles as Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) substrates for biological sensing and diagnostics. This is because SERS enhances the intensity of the Raman scattered signal from an analyte by orders of 106 or more. This dissertation deals with the different aspects involved in the application of SERS for biosensing. It discusses initial studies performed using traditional chemically reduced silver colloidal nanoparticles for the SERS detection of a myriad of proteins and nucleic acids. It examines ways to circumvent the inherent aggregation problems associated with colloidal nanoparticles that frequently lead to poor data reproducibility. The different methods examined to create robust SERS substrates include the creation of thermally evaporated silver island films on microscope glass slides, using the technique of Nanosphere Lithography (NSL) to create hexagonally close packed periodic particle arrays of silver nanoparticles on glass substrates as well as the use of optically tunable gold nanoshell films on glass substrates. The three different types of SERS surfaces are characterized using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Electron Microscopy (EM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) as well as SERS using the model Raman active molecule trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (BPE). Also discussed is ongoing work in the initial stages of the development of a SERS based biosensor using gold nanoshell films for the direct detection of b-amyloid, the causative agent for Alzheimer's disease. Lastly, the use of gold nanoshells as SERS substrates for the intracellular detection of various biomolecules within mouse fibroblast cells in cell culture is discussed. The dissertation puts into perspective how this study can represent the first steps in the development of a robust gold nanoshell based SERS biosensor that can improve the ability to monitor biological processes in real time, thus providing new avenues for designing systems for the early diagnosis of diseases.

Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2016-07-11T19:05:22Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) TESE Renato Barbosa da Silva.pdf: 6315157 bytes, checksum: 2b3ac093113d303d28b902d531315c52 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-11T19:05:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) TESE Renato Barbosa da Silva.pdf: 6315157 bytes, checksum: 2b3ac093113d303d28b902d531315c52 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-27 / CAPES / Diferentes tipos de materiais foram abordados nesta tese visando sua possível aplicação na fotônica. Por isso, o texto foi dividido em duas partes. A Parte 1 trata da preparação de materiais para a aplicação em laser aleatório. O primeiro material sintetizado foram as nanocascas metálicas, cuja estrutura é formada por um caroço de sílica com uma casca metálica ao seu redor. Assim, foi descrito um procedimento experimental melhorado com o intuito de se obter nanocascas de ouro e de prata de maneira mais reprodutível no menor tempo possível. Neste experimento, foi demostrado que a taxa de agitação no final da síntese tem importante influência na formação ou não das nanocascas metálicas. O crescimento de nanocascas de ouro e prata ocorria para taxas de 190 rpm e 1500 rpm respectivamente. O segundo material consistiu de partículas sub-micrométricas de sílica com corante rodamina 640 encapsulado. O encapsulamento ocorreu pela simples adição de uma solução do corante durante a síntese das partículas de sílica. Assim, para uma concentração de corante de 10-2 M, foi descrito um experimento de laser aleatório bicromático. Ao contrário de outros trabalhos na literatura foi possível controlar a emissão do laser aleatório apenas mudando a intensidade de excitação. Durante estes experimentos também foi verificada a existência de frequency-pulling entre dímeros e monômeros nos experimentos. Finalmente na Parte 2 é discutida a síntese e caracterização de nanocristais de silício (ncSi). Os ncSi apresentam luminescência cujo comprimento de onda pode ser controlado variando o tamanho dos nanocristais. A síntese foi baseada no processamento termal em altas temperaturas do hidrossilicato HSiO1.5, derivado do triclorossilano (HSiCl3). Em seguida, os vidros são finamente macerados num almofariz e pistilo de ágata antes dos ncSi serem extraídos via extração ácida. Neste experimento o objetivo foi obter nanocristais de silício monodispersos sem a utilização de etapas pós-síntese como a ultracentrifugação. O objetivo foi alcançado adicionando cloreto de sódio (NaCl) durante a etapa maceração, com o intuito de diminuir o tamanho dos grãos e garantir uma extração uniforme dos mesmos / Different materials were reported in this thesis aiming their possible photonic applications. Therefore the content of this thesis was distributed in two parts. Part 1 is related to the synthesis of materials for applications in random laser. The first material synthesized were the metallic nanoshells, which structure is based in a silica core and a metallic shell around it. An improved experimental method was reported for synthesize gold and silver nanoshells in order to guarantee the reproducibility and decrease the time necessary for synthesis. It was shown that the stirring rate at the end of synthesis plays an important role on the growth of metallic nanoshells. The growth of gold nanoshells was performed using a stirring rate of 190 rpm, on the other hand, the growth of silver nanoshells was performed using a stirring rate of 1500 rpm. The second material consisted of sub-micrometer silica particles whith encapsulated rhodamine 640. The encapsulation was made by the simple addition of a dye solution to do during a Synthesis of silica particles. An bichromatic random laser was operated using a concentration of 10-2 M of laser dye. Unlike other works in the literature it was possible to control the emission of the random laser only changing the intensity of the excitation source. These experiments were also revealed the possibility of frequency-pulling between dimers and monomers of rhodamine through the shift of the laser emission. Finally, in Part 2 it is discussed the synthesis and characterization of silicon nanocrystals (ncSi). The ncSi present luminescence that can be tunable by changing the ncSi sizes The synthesis was based on the thermal processing at high temperatures of HSiO1.5 hydrosilicate derivative of trichlorosilane (HSiCl3). Then, the glasses are finely grounded in a agate mortar and pestle before been extracted via an acid etching. In this experiment the objective was to obtain monodisperse nanocrystals of silicon without the use of post-synthesis steps such as ultracentrifugation. The objective was reached added sodium chloride (NaCl) during the ground step in order to decrease the size of grain for to obtain a uniform etching.

Electroporation (EP) is a physical non-viral technique used to deliver therapeutic molecules across the cell membrane. During electroporation an external electric field is applied across a cell membrane and it causes pores to form. These pores then allow the surrounding media containing the therapeutics to diffuse across the membrane. This technique has been specifically studied as a promising gene and drug delivery system. Colloidal particles have also proven to be promising for a variety of biological applications including molecular delivery, imaging, and tumor ablation, due to their large surface area and tunable properties. In more recent years researchers have explored the use of both electroporation and particles simultaneously. In this research, the main objective was to investigate and determine the role of sub-micron particles in the electroporation process. Presented in this dissertation are results from the synthesis and characterization of colloidal particles of various sizes and different compositions. The use of these dielectric and metallic particles during in vitro electroporation were investigated along with various other electrical parameters associated with EP such as pulse length, number of pulses, and field strength. Computationally, aspects such as particle composition and particle concentration were explored in an attempt to predict experimental outcomes.

No description available.