Dendron to form a conjugate with zinc oxide nanoparticles

• Main Author: Zhu, Yuanzhe.
• Other Authors: Andrew Clive Grimsdale
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Biomaterials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/48478
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In nanotechnology, nanoparticles are small objects sized between 1 and 100 nm [1]. Evidences showed that zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles of certain scale have specific toxicity towards cancer cells [2]. Apart from its necessary role, excessive release of intracellular free zinc ions (Zn2+) by dissociation of the nanoparticles is neurotoxic. Thus, if the particles are released directly into the body, they could lead to mitochondrial damage and the disruption of cellular zinc homeostasis which would lead to apoptosis of healthy cells and induce ischemic or epileptic neuronal injury [3]. Then versatile vehicles that can carry and encapsulate zinc oxide nanoparticles are needed. With physiochemical properties like bioerodability, dendrimers that mimic sizes of biomolecules encapsulate functional molecules allowing for selectively targeting specific tissues, so control-released drug delivery systems can be established more easily with them. By designing a conjugate of a zinc oxide nanoparticle and a dendrimer, the nanoparticle can be protected from removal by the mononuclear phagocyte system [4]; and then improve the solubility and biocompatibility of the overall conjugate [5]. This report focuses on designing a dendrimer that will function as a linker between the zinc oxide nanoparticle and other large biomolecules that might be added such as proteins, DNA, other biocompatible moieties that have selective targeting capabilities.