Imaging Nanocomposites Targeting Tumor Microvasculature
PI: Mohamed K Khan, Radiation Medicine, Co-PI: Lajos P Balogh
NIH/NCI
The goal of this research is to develop and test nanoscopic imaging agents based on 198Au and 67Cu containing dendrimer nanocomposite devices (NCDs) that are delivered selectively to tumor microvasculature in order to improve specific tumor detection while allowing multi-modality imaging in whole animals including tissue/intratumoral and cellular/intracellular visualization.

Development of Multifunctional Contrast Agents
PI: L. Balogh, Co-PI: D. Williams (University of Michigan)
NIH NIBIB
The major goal of this project is the synthesis, characterization and toxicology testing of nanocomposite based multifunctional X-ray contrast agents.

Peptide-Targeted Radioactive Composite Nanodevices Treating Prostate Cancer
PI: M. Khan, Co-PI: L.
Balogh Department of DefenseWe synthesize and test peptide-targeted composite nanodevices (CNDs) carrying radioactive gold (198-Au). CNDs are designed to be injected intravascularly and to target angiogenic microvasculature by means of a cyclized peptide, RGD, on their surface. A mouse model of prostate cancer is used to study tumor growth response and biosafety of targeted therapy with CNDs, to establish optimal dose/fraction regimens, and to conduct 4-D intratumoral imaging and microdosimetry of the targeted CNDs over time to develop image-guided Systemic Targeted Radiation Therapy (STaRT) targeting theangiogenic microvasculature. We anticipate that CNDs will allow higher dose delivery to tumor with less normal tissue toxicity than has been previously possible.

Recent projects:

Development of Radioactive Nanocomposites to Treat the Prostate Cancer Microvasculature
PI: M. Khan, Radiation Oncology; Co-PI: L. P. Balogh
Department of Defense
This project will focus on the design, synthesis, characterization and tesing of a novel radioisotope containing nanoparticles (nanocomposite devices or NCDs) synthesized from dendrimer templates. These NCDs can deliver at least a log fold more radioactivity to prostate tumors than it is possible with current antibody technologies. This technology permits us to encapsulate radioisotopes within devices of defined size and surface properties. Thus, the radioactivity delivered to a tumor can be increased by increasing the particle size, or by increasing the number or specific activity of the guest atoms, without destroying the targeting ability of the nanocomposite device. We use a selective approach and a targeted approach to exploit tumor microvascular differences in delivering NCDs either to prostate tumors or to the angiogenic tumor microvasculature.

Ultrasonic Imaging of Laser Induced Optical breakdown in Dendrimer Nanocomposites Imaging of LIOB in Dendrimer Nanocomposites
PI: M. O'Donnell (Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan), Co-PI: L. P. Balogh
NIH NIBIB
The major goal of this project is to develop ultrasonic imaging utilizing microbubbles formed from laser induced optical breakdown of dendrimer nanocomposites upon irradiation with ultrafast laser light.

Development of Radioactive Nanocomposites to Treat Tumor Microvasculature
PI: Lajos P Balogh; Co-PI: Mohamed K Khan, Radiation Oncology
U.S. Department of Energy
Our objective is to develop a general approach for utilizing different isotopes in medical applications based on nanocomposites. To achieve this goal, we synthesize and use novel nanocomposite devices (NCDs) as smart agents for the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. The goal of this research is to develop NCDs to deliver radioisotopes selectively to tumors by exploiting differences between normal and tumor vasculature. These NCDs will be synthesized as monodisperse hybrid nanoparticles composed of radioactive guests immobilized by dendritic polymer hosts. These nanocomposite devices will have the ability to carry different isotopes either individually or in combinations to their targets. Our NCDs will have a monodisperse, well-defined and variable size (within the range of 5-100 nm) and a specific surface to permit both size related and/or surface recognition targeting of the encapsulated radioisotopes.

Dendritic Nanoscale Chelating Agents: Synthesis, Characterization, Molecular Modeling and Environmental Applications
PI: Mamadou S. Diallo, California Institute of Technology/Howard University; Co-PI: L. P. Balogh
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
The primary objective of this study to develop Dendritic Nanoscale Catalytic Agents based on complexes and nanocomposites of dendritic polymers in a novel catalytic water treatment process to remove halogenated aromatic organic components from contaminated water with high selectivity and efficiency. We are studying supramolecular assemblies of high molecular weight, water-soluble and non toxic dendrimers to investigate their redox catalytic activity. Catalytic activities of various nanoparticles will be assessed and evaluated both in homogenous phase and heterogenous phase catalysis at Howard University. As the DNCA method is not limited to one specific catalytic system, the general nanotechnology developed in this work should provide solutions for other problems as well.

Synthesis and Preparation of Dendrimer Coated Nanoparticles for Structured Thin Films
PI: L. Balogh
NSF-MRSEC/Columbia University, NY
The goal of this research was to synthesize various dendrimers to stabilize quantum dots