In highly recognized work, NPH partner scientists Fraser Stoddart (Northwestern University) created molecular valves and rotors (dubbed “nanoimpellers”). These molecular machines enable the release of loaded compounds by a variety of specific stimuli, ranging from pH to electromagnetic energy. NPH believes that there are substantial commercial opportunities for these controlled-release silica nanoparticles. Notably, they have potential for fine-tuned drug delivery, with greater control over the quantity and location of release. NPH partner scientist Dr. Fuyu Tamanoi has initiated a series of studies with silica nanoparticles designed to target and kill cancer cells.

Selected Publications

1. Xia, T. A.; Kovochich, M.; Liong, M.; Meng, H.; Kabehie, S.; George, S.; Zink, J. I.; Nel, A. E., Polyethyleneimine Coating Enhances the Cellular Uptake of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles and Allows Safe Delivery of siRNA and DNA Constructs. Acs Nano 2009, 3 (10), 3273-3286.

2. Liong, M.; Angelos, S.; Choi, E.; Patel, K.; Stoddart, J. F.; Zink, J. I., Mesostructured multifunctional nanoparticles for imaging and drug delivery. Journal of Materials Chemistry 2009, 19 (35), 6251-6257.

3. Klichko, Y.; Liong, M.; Choi, E.; Angelos, S.; Nel, A. E.; Stoddart, J. F.; Tamanoi, F.; Zink, J. I., Mesostructured Silica for Optical Functionality, Nanomachines, and Drug Delivery. Journal of the American Ceramic Society 2009, 92 (1), S2-S10.

4. Khashab, N. M.; Trabolsi, A.; Lau, Y. A.; Ambrogio, M. W.; Friedman, D. C.; Khatib, H. A.; Zink, J. I.; Stoddart, J. F., Redox- and pH-Controlled Mechanized Nanoparticles. European Journal of Organic Chemistry 2009, (11), 1669-1673.

5. Khashab, N. M.; Belowich, M. E.; Trabolsi, A.; Friedman, D. C.; Valente, C.; Lau, Y. N.; Khatib, H. A.; Zink, J. I.; Stoddart, J. F., pH-Responsive mechanised nanoparticles gated by semirotaxanes. Chemical Communications 2009, (36), 5371-5373.

6. Ferris, D. P.; Zhao, Y. L.; Khashab, N. M.; Khatib, H. A.; Stoddart, J. F.; Zink, J. I., Light-Operated Mechanized Nanoparticles. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2009, 131 (5), 1686.

7. Du, L.; Liao, S. J.; Khatib, H. A.; Stoddart, J. F.; Zink, J. I., Controlled-Access Hollow Mechanized Silica Nanocontainers. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2009, 131 (42), 15136-15142.

8. Angelos, S.; Yang, Y. W.; Khashab, N. M.; Stoddart, J. F.; Zink, J. I., Dual-Controlled Nanoparticles Exhibiting AND Logic. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2009, 131 (32), 11344.

9. Angelos, S.; Khashab, N. M.; Yang, Y. W.; Trabolsi, A.; Khatib, H. A.; Stoddart, J. F.; Zink, J. I., pH Clock-Operated Mechanized Nanoparticles. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2009, 131 (36), 12912.

10. Xia, T.; Kovochich, M.; Liong, M.; Madler, L.; Gilbert, B.; Shi, H. B.; Yeh, J. I.; Zink, J. I.; Nel, A. E., Comparison of the Mechanism of Toxicity of Zinc Oxide and Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Based on Dissolution and Oxidative Stress Properties. Acs Nano 2008, 2 (10), 2121-2134.

11. Patel, K.; Angelos, S.; Dichtel, W. R.; Coskun, A.; Yang, Y. W.; Zink, J. I.; Stoddart, J. F., Enzyme-responsive snap-top covered silica nanocontainers. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2008, 130 (8), 2382-2383.

12. Lu, J.; Choi, E.; Tamanoi, F.; Zink, J. I., Light-activated nanoimpeller-controlled drug release in cancer cells. Small 2008, 4 (4), 421-426.

13. Liong, M.; Lu, J.; Kovochich, M.; Xia, T.; Ruehm, S. G.; Nel, A. E.; Tamanoi, F.; Zink, J. I., Multifunctional inorganic nanoparticles for imaging, targeting, and drug delivery. Acs Nano 2008, 2 (5), 889-896.

14. Johansson, E.; Choi, E.; Angelos, S.; Liong, M.; Zink, J. I., Light-activated functional mesostructured silica. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology 2008, 46 (3), 313-322.

15. Angelos, S.; Yang, Y. W.; Patel, K.; Stoddart, J. F.; Zink, J. I., pH-responsive supramolecular nanovalves based on cucurbit 6 uril pseudorotaxanes. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition 2008, 47 (12), 2222-2226.

16. Angelos, S.; Liong, M.; Choi, E.; Zink, J. I., Mesoporous silicate materials as substrates for molecular machines and drug delivery. Chemical Engineering Journal 2008, 137 (1), 4-13.

17. Saha, S.; Leung, K. C. F.; Nguyen, T. D.; Stoddart, J. F.; Zink, J. I., Nanovalves. Advanced Functional Materials 2007, 17 (5), 685-693.

18. Nguyen, T. D.; Leung, K. C. F.; Liong, M.; Liu, Y.; Stoddart, J. F.; Zink, J. I., Versatile supramolecular nanovalves reconfigured for light activation. Advanced Functional Materials 2007, 17 (13), 2101-2110.

19. Lu, J.; Liong, M.; Zink, J. I.; Tamanoi, F., Mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a delivery system for hydrophobic anticancer drugs. Small 2007, 3 (8), 1341-1346.

20. Angelos, S.; Johansson, E.; Stoddart, J. F.; Zink, J. I., Meslostructured silica supports for functional materials and molecular machines. Advanced Functional Materials 2007, 17 (14), 2261-2271.