Research Projects

NANOPARTICLES FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS

Faculty Mentors: Prof. William Self

Research Description:

Rare earth nanoparticles are routinely used in industrial applications, however recent evidence suggests that these particles may act as antioxidants in vivo. We are investigating whether these nanoparticles can protect human skin cells (HaCaT keratinocytes) from UV-induced apoptotic cell death. This UV-induced cell death is due in part to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage DNA, protein and lipids. Our preliminary data indicate that this damage can somehow be prevented by preincubation with very low doses of ceria nanoparticles (low nM concentration range). We aim to determine the molecular mechanism behind the observed phenomenon.

The undergraduate students will be involved in:

• Cultivation of human keratinocytes
• UV treatment of cells - cell viability studies
• Microscopy of treated/untreated cells