Download In recent years colloidal mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs)

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Platform for Targeted Drug Delivery
Dorothée Gößl, Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience,
Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich (LMU)
In recent years colloidal mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have attracted great attention
as versatile vehicles for targeted drug delivery. They offer a high pore volume, defined and
tunable pore sizes and various functionalization possibilities of the inner and outer surface. This
modification of the particles allows for the generation of binding sites for fluorescent dyes on
the inside and the attachment of suitable molecules to the outer shell of the particles for specific
cell targeting or stimuli responsive pore sealing and opening. This tuning of the MSNs permits
the encapsulation of the desired cargo (pharmaceutical or biocompatible molecules) and its
targeted delivery.
The aim of this project is the synthesis and characterization of colloidal mesoporous
nanoparticles with particle sizes below 100 nm. The method used is based on sol-gel synthesis,
in which silica precursors are hydrolyzed and polymerized under basic conditions in the
presence of surfactant and complexing agents. Organic functionalization of the silica
framework will be achieved by co-condensation of different organo-silanes.
To characterize the resulting nanoparticles, several methods will be used including small angle
X-ray diffraction, Raman and IR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential
measurements, nitrogen sorption, and thermogravimetric analysis. Furthermore, selected
samples will be investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Biological effects such as
cancer cell uptake will be studied in cooperation with our partners.
The project will be conducted in the research group of Professor Thomas Bein at the Department
of Chemistry of the University of Munich (LMU) which is located at the Campus Großhadern
in the southwest of Munich (http://bein.cup.uni-muenchen.de/index.php). Currently the group
has about 40 members and the fields of research center on the synthesis, physical properties and
applications of porous nanostructures. The Ludwig-Maximilians University is one of the
leading universities in Germany; it offers a broad range of programs in the fields of humanities,
medicine, law, and particularly in natural sciences. The Munich area provides many cultural
highlights and major events. It is located in one of the most beautiful parts of Germany in the
southern part of Bavaria close to the Alps.
Dorothée Gößl
Butenandtstraße 11
(House E, Room 3.027)
81377 Munich
[email protected]