Inorganic/Organic Nanocomposite Particles (I/O-NP); A Platform Technology for Next Generation Healthcare Applications

Inorganic/Organic Nanocomposite Particles (I/O-NP) are a highly versatile platform technology, currently being developed for use in diagnostic medical applications. I/O-NPs are composed of functional polymeric organic nanoscale structures (50-200 nm) in which smaller metallic nanoparticles (2-20 nm) are encapsulated. The synthetic versatility of the platform technology allows for fine tuning of the composition and architectures of the nanoscale structures, thus offering the potential for a new class of biologically responsive, functional materials to be developed.

The incorporation of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles within biologically responsive organic nanostructures would give rise to composite materials that could (a) swell or contract in response to biological stimuli or (b) accumulate around a biological target. In either case, the magnetic characteristics of the iron oxides employed would be varied as a result of changes in their rotation dynamics and interparticle proximity.

Such magnetic property variation could be exploited to design detection systems, capable of detecting minute quantities of biological stimulus.

As biological tissue contains no magnetic material, the versatility of the I/O-NP platform technology offers a range of potential for wide healthcare applications, providing more sensitive, specific, and quantitative diagnostic analysis, with real-time monitoring and quantification in biological systems potential with no background signal.

The specific aims of this FLF renewal are towards the creation of world-leading expertise, building towards the future establishment of the Advanced Magnetic Materials for Healthcare Hub (AM4H) at UoL. The Hub will allow for a cross-disciplinary community of researchers in fields of Materials Science, Biology, Physics and Clinical Sciences to build synergies and research projects around cutting-edge technologies that are currently not present in the UK or Europe.

The fellowship applicant, Dr Marco Giardiello, has built a global reputation through his cross-disciplinary collaborations and experience of inorganic and organic nanomedicine research in both diagnostic and therapeutic areas. The research programme is to be carried out at the University of Liverpool's Department of Chemistry, with critical cross-faculty, cross-sector and multi-disciplinary collaboration in place to ensure its successful outcomes as well as long-term future I/O-NP wide platform technology development.

The fellowship renewal's key aims are: 1. Novel smart and biologically responsive Inorganic/Organic Nanocomposite Particle development 2. Novel device engineering and pre-clinical investigation, ensuring IP generation and industrial engagement

3. Establishment of multidisciplinary research strategies, fostering networks to set the foundation towards the creation of the Advanced Magnetic Materials for Healthcare Hub (AM4H) 4. Wide I/O-NP platform technology expansion towards multiple global healthcare needs