Since laser-induced photothermal ablation has shown satisfactory results for the removal of tumors, the group Colloidal Group is working on the development of new generation of nanoparticles (NP) aimed for photothermal therapy (PTT). These NP are light-absorbing materials, namely photothermal agents (PA) that can convert absorbed light into heat. The result proves the ablation of malignant areas noninvasively by heating the tissue locally above 42 ◦C while keeping the temperature of the surrounding tissue at a normal level. In laser ablation, the spectral ranges of the used wavelengths are located in the Near Infrared region, the so called biological windows, where tissues become partially transparent as a result of a simultaneous reduction in both absorption and scattering. The researchers have designed and developed PA that generate heat after irradiation at the second biological window which offers improved light penetration, lower background signal, and higher maximum permission exposure compared to the traditional first window. The developed nanoparticles will also be designed to be directed by an external magnetic field or to be used as image probe, therefore as theranostic agents.
Joan Estelrich Latràs (Full Professor) joanestelrich(at)ub.edu
M. Antonia Busquets Viñas (Associate Professor) mabusquetsvinas(at)ub.edu
Dual Effect of Prussian Blue Nanoparticles on Aβ40 Aggregation: β-Sheet Fibril Reduction and Copper Dyshomeostasis Regulation. Kowalczyk J., Grapsi E., Espargaró A., Caballero A.B., Juárez-Jiménez J., Busquets M.A., Gamez P., Sabate R., Estelrich J. Biomacromolecules. 2021, 22, 2
Synthesis and validation of DOPY: A new gemini dioleylbispyridinium based amphiphile for nucleic acid transfection. Aubets E., Griera R., Felix A.J., Rigol G., Sikorski C., Limón D., Mastrorosa C., Busquets M.A., Pérez-García L., Noé V., Ciudad C.J. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2021, 165
Prussian blue: A nanozyme with versatile catalytic properties. Estelrich J., Busquets M.A. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021, 22, 11, 5993
Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles with Efficient Near-Infrared Photothermal Effect at the Second Biological Window. Busquets, M.A., Fernández, J.M., Serra, P., Estelrich, J. Molecules 2020, 25(22).
With Ajut a la Recerca Transversal (ART) Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Call 2019 financial support.
Prussian blue nanoparticles: synthesis, surface modification, and biomedical applications. Busquets M.A., Estelrich J. Drug Discovery Today. 2020, 25(8)
Flash tooth whitening: A friendly formulation based on a nanoencapsulated reductant. Babot-Marquillas C., Sánchez-Martín M.-J., Rodríguez-Martínez J., Estelrich J., Busquets M.-A., Valiente M. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2020, 195