Current Search:   Kang, Ellen (x)

View All Items

  • CSV Spreadsheet
(1 - 2 of 2)
Fabrication of Polyelectrolyte Nanoparticles Through Hydrophobic Interaction
Title
Fabrication of Polyelectrolyte Nanoparticles Through Hydrophobic Interaction.
Creator
Catarata, Ruginn Porce, Zhai, Lei, Kang, Ellen, Huo, Qun, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Anticancer drugs like gemcitabine (GEM) are used to treat cancers such as, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the use of free gemcitabine yields challenges including cytotoxicity to healthy cells and poor circulation time. By encapsulating GEM in nanoparticles these challenges can be overcome. In this study poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)-GEM nanoparticles are fabricated by coupling GEM onto PAA. The particle formation is driven by the hydrophobic interaction of GEM, which collects in...
Show moreAnticancer drugs like gemcitabine (GEM) are used to treat cancers such as, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the use of free gemcitabine yields challenges including cytotoxicity to healthy cells and poor circulation time. By encapsulating GEM in nanoparticles these challenges can be overcome. In this study poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)-GEM nanoparticles are fabricated by coupling GEM onto PAA. The particle formation is driven by the hydrophobic interaction of GEM, which collects in the core of the nanoparticle, forming a PAA shell. The nanoparticles were optimized by studying the PAA/GEM ratio and pH during fabrication. Characteristics of the nanoparticles including size, morphology and surface charge were investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential measurements. Conditions such as ionic stability and pH stability were optimized to achieve high drug loading efficiency. Cell uptake and cytotoxicity studies were used to determine the efficiency of the nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicle.
Show less
Date Issued
2019
Identifier
CFE0007791, ucf:52364
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007791
Nano-Biophysical Approaches for Assessing Nanoparticle Interactions with Biological Systems
Title
Nano-Biophysical Approaches for Assessing Nanoparticle Interactions with Biological Systems.
Creator
Untracht, Zachary, Kang, Ellen, Gesquiere, Andre, Santra, Swadeshmukul, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Understanding interactions between nanoparticles and biological systems is fundamental for the development of emerging nano-biotechnology applications. In this thesis, I present an investigation of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles interactions with biomolecules in two separate studies. The first section of my thesis covers tracking and detection of ZnO nanoparticles using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). ZinkicideTM is a bactericidal ZnO nanoparticle which...
Show moreUnderstanding interactions between nanoparticles and biological systems is fundamental for the development of emerging nano-biotechnology applications. In this thesis, I present an investigation of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles interactions with biomolecules in two separate studies. The first section of my thesis covers tracking and detection of ZnO nanoparticles using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). ZinkicideTM is a bactericidal ZnO nanoparticle which has been developed for agriculture. The characterization of Zinkicide in biological media and in solution has been difficult due to its high dispersibility and ultra-small size. SDS-PAGE is considered a golden standard for protein qualitative interpretations. In this study, we have modified this typical protein assay and developed protocols for quantifying Zinkicide concentration, fluorescence intensity, and relative molecular weight changes in aqueous solutions. We found that SDS-PAGE is a novel and fundamental approach for assessing ZnO nanoparticles.The second part of my thesis is focused on investigating biological toxicity induced by nanoparticles. Recent studies have shown that nanoparticles have the capabilities to induce abnormalities on cellular networks including actin cytoskeleton. We have studied the effects of ZnO nanoparticles on filamentous actin assembly dynamics utilizing total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy imaging and biophysical analysis. The combination of these studies has provided pertinent information for the future development of nanoparticles designed for biological applications.
Show less
Date Issued
2019
Identifier
CFE0007738, ucf:52423
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007738