Current Research

Silver nanostructures and their biomedical activity

 

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are promising agents in the bionanotechnology, because of their unique activity against unfavorable processes in bioscience. The Ag-NPs have been widely used in wound dressing; wound healing, water treatment filters, inks, sensors, catalysts, cosmetics, orthopaedics, surgical instruments and vascular prosthesis. Ever-increasing applications of these real silver bullets in biomedical field are due to the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-platelet, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory (apoptosis detection) and anti-angiogenesis properties (cancer therapy). Green synthesis of Ag-NPs possesses three main steps, which were evaluated by green chemistry protocol, including selection of solvent medium, environmentally benign reducing agent and nontoxic capping agent. In the current research, we synthesize Ag-NPs in aqueous solution at room temperature based on the main principles of the green synthesis, using sunlight-UV as facile nontoxic reducing agent and biopolymers as capping/shaping agents.

 

 

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Nanoparticle-biomaterial hybrid systems

 

Most interests in the clinical utilization of magnetic nanoparticles have focused on maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles because of their chemical inactivity, nontoxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, low particle dimension, large surface area and suitable magnetic properties. We are developing γ-Fe2O3/poly citric acid/Ag-NPs for magnetic drug targeting/ hyperthermia treatment of cancer cells.

 

 

 

 

Superabsorbent hydrogels (design, synthesis and applications)

 

Hydrogels are cross-linked hydrophilic polymers absorbing large quantities of water or aqueous solutions without dissolving. Because of softness, smartness and the capacity to store water, hydrogels are a unique carrier matrix for drug delivery systems. This water sorption property of hydrogels accounts for a great number of biomedical and technological applications such as artificial implants, contact lenses, enzyme immobilization, etc. Highly swelling gels are widely used as superabsorbents because of their high degree of hydrophilicity, low density and low cost.