Nanoparticles hold great promise for technological advances in the early detection and treatment of diseases. Many types of nanoparticles, including lipid-based micelles and liposomes, polymeric micelles and dendrimers, carbon nanomaterials, and inorganic and metallic nanoparticles, are being investigated for a great number of potential applications, such as site-specific drug delivery, biosensors for in-vitro and in-vivo diagnostics, and contrast agents for medical imaging. The shortcomings of many of these systems include low stability in the bloodstream, systemic or cellular toxicity, generation of toxic degradation products, and accumulation over time in certain organs such as the kidneys, liver, or spleen.<br/> <br/>For the past decade, in collaboration with biologists and biomedical engineers, we have investigated the potential of cellulose nanocrystals in biomedical applications. Cellulose nanocrystals are oblong nanoparticles obtained by partial degradation of a cellulose starting material. Their elongated shape and abundant surface hydroxyl groups distinguish cellulose nanocrystals from many of the above mentioned nanomaterials. This presentation reviews our current knowledge of the toxicity of cellulose nanocrystals and our studies of cellulose nanocrystal conjugates for targeted drug delivery and bioimaging applications.

Cellulose nanocrystal conjugates for drug delivery and bioimaging applications

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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