Research

    NMN laboratory needs to establish our exceptional imaginable animal xenograft/in-situ models, nano- and nano-drug combo treatments, molecular imaging, pharmacological assessments, pathological assessments examinations, mass-spectrometry, and omics data mining, and analysis and performed experiments very successfully. We worked on the synthesis and biological applications of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) in cancer theranostics, which are combined with quantum dots (QDs) and gold nanomaterials (AuNMs). Like graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs), these nanocomposites provide low-cost, stable, environmentally friendly, and highly effective nanocatalysts for photocatalysis and biological application. Combining all evidence, NMN Lab developed a novel multifunctional nanocomposite using UCNPs to connect CNQDs (UCNP@CNQDs) and enhance the quantum and photodynamic effects of UCNP@CNQDs. This drug carrier can be applied for evaluating in vitro and in vivo treatment methods.

    Based on the previous foundation, NMN Lab has reported the preparation and physical characteristics of lanthanide-loaded upconversion nanoparticles (NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+). Changing the doped ions into Sm3+ or Lu3+ may not significantly affect the yield or traits. 152Sm and 176Lu should be activated into UCNPs (153Sm), NaLuF4:Yb3+,Tm3+,Sm3+ and UCNPs (177Lu), NaLuF4:Yb3+,Tm3+, respectively. When receiving thermal (epithermal) neutron irradiation, these two radionuclides emit beta rays and can be utilized for internal radiotherapy. Hopefully, these nanoparticles can be mainly retained in the tumor rather than healthy tissues due to the EPR effect, followed by NIR exposure and thermal neutron irradiation to cause tumor-killing precisely.

    NMN laboratory proposes “Deep-tissue imaging and tumor theranostics with the innovative NIR-II nanoparticles” to resolve the most urgent and challenging problem in optical imaging. A multidisciplinary research team with diversified expertise consisting of optics, ultrasound, organic chemistry, oncology, and tumor biology is organized in this study. The main objectives are developing: (1) NIR-II imaging probe: NIR-II nanocomposites for deep tumor imaging. (2) Multi-modality NIR-II imaging platform: with FDOT, PA, and US modality. (3) Establish tumor models for validating the theranostic efficacy of NIR-II nanocomposites.