Multifunctional mesoporous silica-based composite nanoparticles for biomedical applications

The project deals with the design, synthesis and testing of silica-based nanomaterials, which will be studied for two purposes. The first purpose is the synthesis and testing of materials that can be used for targeted, vectored transport and the subsequent release of antithrombotic drugs. The problem with antithrombotic drugs is their short half-life, thus frequent dosing is required. Such administration of antithrombotics via silica can lead to a prolongation of their half-life, uniform administration and reduction of therapeutic doses. As a carriers, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and core@shell systems based on MSNs containing GOLD or SPION nanoparticles, will be studied. Such systems will enable the targeted administration and release of antithrombotic drugs in response to an external stimulus. Magnetic field can be used to deliver such a system with drug to the thrombotic site directly. The second purpose of the project is the preparation of materials based on mesoporous silica containing therapeutic ions, silver nanoparticles or antibacterial drugs that will additionally contain SPIONs. Such multifunctional systems could be used as a potential bacterial infection-resistant implants used in bone tissue regeneration applications. An essential part of the project is biological testing of prepared materials, namely the release of drugs in-vitro and in-vivo on experimental animals. In addition, antibacterial properties and cytoxicity of the prepared materials will be tested.