Novel family of cellulose acetate fluorescent nanomaterials for bioimaging applications

This project describes a methodology to design and manufacture ultra-bright fluorescent nanoparticles using cellulose acetate, an FDA-approved material for human use. The proposed work will fill the knowledge gaps in the stability, functionality, and efficacy of the novel nanoparticles for cancer detection using zebrafish xenograft models. This has a broad societal impact with a high translational potential to clinics.<br/><br/>The investigator will develop a new family of cellulose acetate (CA) fluorescent nanomaterials that will be biocompatible, less expensive, and brighter than quantum dots for in vivo testing such as early cancer detection. Although CA is widely used in the food and medical industry, only large nanomaterials have been developed which are not good for in vivo applications as they are cleared rapidly from the body. The investigator will develop CA nanoparticles with diameters less than 100 nm. The particles will encapsulate multiple classes of dyes that will be ultrabright, photostable, and chemically stable at different chemical environment treatments.<br/><br/>This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.