Research Focus Areas
Custom Synthesis of Metal/Porous Nanoparticles
Nanotoxicology
Biomedical Image Contrast Agents
Precision Nanoprobes
Molecular Nanotechnology
Custom Synthesis of Metal/Porous Nanoparticles
Standardized synthesis of Gold nanoparticles (nanoclusters, 5 nm, 10 nm, 16 nm) Silver nanoparticles (nanoclusters, 10 nm, 40 nm, 95 nm) Iron oxide nanoparticles (10 nm) Gadolinium oxide (5 nm, 10 nm) Hafnium oxide (5 nm, 10 nm) Microporous silica particles (15 nm, 50 nm, 100 nm, 400 nm) Other nanoparticles currently being optimized include …
Nanotoxicology
Nanotoxicity assessment is an integral part of designing biomedical probes. In vitro toxicity of nanoparticles is assessed using murine (L929) and human cell lines (HUVEC, RAW246.7). In vivo toxicity was assessed in zebrafish models, and in vivo biodistribution/blood pool kinetics was assessed in athymic and euthymic mouse models. Representative Publications …
Biomedical Image Contrast Agents
Scaled up the synthesis of nanoparticle contrast agents. I specialize in the synthesis of long emission lifetime, fluorescent and photoluminescent nanoparticles. This is achieved by modifying Au cores with fluorophore embedded shells or Au nanoclusters with tunable photoluminescence. Fluorescent silica particles with sizes ranging from 15 nm to 400 nm are also available. Such probes …
Precision Nanoprobes
Antibody-drug conjugates are emerging as a frontrunner in precision targeted therapeutics. However, this capability is still beyond the ability of most academic laboratories. The primary reason for this is the need to identify a precise binding site on the constant region of the antibody (Fc) for the drug molecule to be conjugated, while not affecting …
Molecular Nanotechnology
This is the current focus of my research. Utilizing anisotropic and hybrid nanoparticle architectures to introduce directionality in motion, precisely orienting targeting molecules and directed exertion of force by nanosystems. Anisotropic nanoparticles can be Janus hybrids or non-spherical nanoparticles and include rods, plates, prisms, and core-shells. This will lay the basis for nanomotors and nanomachines …
MagSiNs Team Awarded IDEA Center Research Commercialization Grant
Prakash Nallathamby has been named a 2026 recipient of the University of Notre Dame IDEA Center’s Research Commercialization Grant (RCG), alongside bioengineering doctoral student Aurelie Brownsberger. The RCG program provides targeted, translational funding designed to accelerate the real-world impact of Notre Dame research by advancing the commercial readiness of promising University inventions. The award recognizes …
pdnano Lab Awarded BIPH Technology Bridge Fund for Ovarian Cancer Nanomedicine
Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health · Technology Bridge Fund We’re delighted to announce that the pdnano lab has received a Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health (BIPH) Technology Bridge Fund award. The Technology Bridge program supports promising precision-health projects in generating the additional preliminary data needed to strengthen high-impact grant resubmissions. The funded project — Multispecific …
NIH Funding Opportunities
- NIH Webinar: You're Invited: A Conversation on NIH's Unified Funding Strategy July 30, 2026Notice NOT-OD-26-099 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
- Implementation Update: NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan Requirements July 29, 2026Notice NOT-OD-26-100 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
- Notice of Information: Changes to NIGMS Institutional Basic Biomedical and Clinician Scientist Training Programs July 29, 2026Notice NOT-GM-26-007 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
- USG Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research July 28, 2026Notice NOT-OD-26-101 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
- NIH Is Replacing Letters of Support with Letters of Collaboration to Reduce Administrative Burden July 27, 2026Notice NOT-OD-26-094 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
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