RIDING TO FIGHT KIDS’ CANCER

https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/PrakashNallathamby

This September, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids’ cancer! Only 4% of the billions of dollars the government spends annually on cancer research is directed towards treating childhood cancer. Right now, cancer is the biggest killer of children from disease in the United States. Over 15,700 children are diagnosed every year, and sadly, 38 children die of cancer every week.

We need better treatment options for treating childhood cancer so that kids can be living life, not fighting for it. So I am raising funds through this challenge to help these kids and support Children’s Cancer Research Fund to allow them to continue their work to develop lifesaving treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.

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Science Outlets are More Actively Promoting Novel Technologies to Address Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic-Stewardship

Excited that our novel approach to tackling antibiotic resistance is gaining well-deserved publicity! We need outside the box thinking to tackle this problem. Juliane Hopf #advanceddoagnosticsandtherapeutics #notredame #antibioticresistance #nanotechnology #nanoscaleadvances  #pdnano #biomimetics #health #nanoparticles #nd

https://phys.org/news/2020-01-tackling-antibiotic-resistance-phage-mimicking-antibacterial.html

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Tackling antibiotic resistance: Phage-mimicking antibacterial core-shell nanoparticles could help

by Brandi Wampler, University of Notre Dame

According to the World Health Organization, one of the biggest health threats around the world is antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Every day people use antibiotics to prevent or fight back against infection, but as bacteria evolve and develop resistance, diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis are becoming harder to treat.

 

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame are working to combat this problem by looking to bacteriophages or phages. Phages are viruses that infect bacteria, similarly to how bacteria infect people, but bacteria have yet to develop resistance to these viruses. In a study published in Nanoscale Advances, the researchers have shown the efficacy of a new nanoparticle-based system that mimics how phages attack and kill bacteria.

“Instead of chasing the next antibiotic, we want to create a system that can treat infection and is an option that bacteria can’t develop resistance to,” said Prakash Nallathamby, research assistant professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering and directing author of the study. “In our initial attempt, our team was able to kill several different types of clinically relevant bacteria with varying degrees of success.”

The phage-mimicking nanoparticle system consists of silver-coated gold nanoparticles distributed randomly on a silica core. Once created, the system was tested for its ability to kill four bacteria types that are known to have antibiotic-resistant strains: Corynebacterium striatum, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. These various bacteria cause a number of health issues including prosthetic device infections, sepsis, meningitis and blood infections.

Initial tests showed that the nanoparticle system was 50 percent to 90 percent effective in killing the bacteria strains for all but Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which was only 21 percent effective. However, when the researchers combined the nanoparticle system with peptides that also have antibacterial activity, the system was 100 percent effective at killing the bacteria.

“By incorporating a biological element, we were able to make the nanoparticles more effective in eliminating the bacteria in initial testing,” said Nallathamby. “Now, we are actively looking to partner with an organization that would advance this system to a clinical study.”

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More information: Juliane Hopf et al. Phage-mimicking antibacterial core-shell nanoparticles, Nanoscale Advances (2019). DOI: 10.1039/C9NA00461K

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Let’s Spread Awareness on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic-Stewardship

It’s encouraging that awareness of the imminent health threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is rapidly increasing. We recently published our first peer-reviewed publication on phage-mimicking, broad-spectrum, antibacterial nanoparticles in RSC Nanoscale Advances (https://lnkd.in/eDGPH3s). The scientific news writeup by Brandi R. Wampler was published in ND news (https://lnkd.in/ebqPy-i). This was picked up by a New Jersey news outlet (https://lnkd.in/emUgPkR) Let’s keep spreading the awareness on the hashtag#antibioticresistance problem before it gets out of hand. #anitbiotics #phage #biomimetics #nanoparticles #nanotechnology #ND #advanceddoagnosticsandtherapeutics #nanoscaleadvances

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An Interesting Writeup on our Novel Class of Antibiotic Independent Antibacterials

According to the World Health Organization, one of the biggest health threats around the world is antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Researchers at Notre Dame are working to combat this problem by developing a nanoparticle-based system. Please check out this press release written by Brandi Wampler, our science communication specialist at Notre Dame Research.

https://news.nd.edu/news/new-technology-could-help-tackle-antibiotic-resistance/

The peer-reviewed publication titled, “Phage-mimicking antibacterial core–shell nanoparticles” can be accessed at the following open-source link below.

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/na/c9na00461k

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Phage-mimicking antibacterial core–shell nanoparticles

Juliane Hopf, Margo Waters, Veronica Kalwajtys, Katelyn E. Carothers, Ryan K. Roeder, Joshua D. Shrout, Shaun W. Lee and Prakash D. Nallathamby

Excited to have started publishing and filing for a patent on our antibiotic-free antimicrobial nanoparticles research. More to come in the following months! Thankful for the support from #notredame #ideacenter #antibioticresistance #ndnano #Advanceddiagnosticsandtherapeutics #ADandT #openaccess

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Label-Free, Magnetic Nanocarrier based, Precision Combinatorial Chemotherapeutics Treatment Against Metastatic Cancer for Recurrence-Free Survival

The leading cause of fatalities in breast cancer is metastasis. To increase the success rate of metastasis-free survival, there is a need to tackle therapy-resistant metastatic forms of the disease with novel, patient-friendly, combinatorial treatment regimens. At present, doxorubicin (Dox) regimens are standard of care for tumor debulking but do not stop metastatic recurrence and present cardiotoxicity. Vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) H⁺ pump inhibitors (e.g., diphyllins) prevent metastasis, but the ubiquitous occurrence of this target raises concerns of off-target toxicity. A solution is targeted delivery to reduce off-target effects while also minimizing drug dose side-effects. So, here we present the successful demonstration of targeted combinatorial-delivery of V-ATPase inhibitors (Diph) and standard chemotherapeutics (Dox) to the MDAMB231 triple negative breast cancer metastatic cell model  (2D and 3D) with positive cell clearance and affirmative inhibition of cancer cell invasion. Our drug delivery system used a label-free magnetoelectric system.

Congratulations to Dr.Hopf and undergraduate researcher Margo Waters for their contributions to these excellent results.

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Society for Biomaterials 2019 in Seattle was  a Success 

I was in Seattle for the week at the Society for Biomaterials 2019 conference. Excited to have data from three projects in four sessions at SFB 2019. Thanks to CTSI-PDT (#CTSI), ACS-IRG(#americancersociety), NDnano, AD&T and HCRI for their crucial support for these projects.

1. Rapid-Fire oral Presentation on Wednesday on April 3, 2019, from 4:05 to 4:10 p.m. on Label-Free, Magnetic Nanocarrier based, Precision Combinatorial Chemotherapeutics Treatment Against Metastatic Cancer for Recurrence-Free Survival, during the session titled: Nanomaterials / Drug Delivery RAPID FIRE

2. An oral presentation titled: “Biomimetic Phage Mimicking Antimicrobial Nanoparticles for Antibiotic Free, Bactericidal Action Against the ESKAPE Class of Pathogens” in the session titled Recent Advances in Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Materials1 on Thursday, April 4, 2019, from 3:30 PM to 3:45 PM.

3. Poster I: (#988) Biodistribution of Cancer Stem Cells Targeting Nanoparticle Image Contrast Agents and it’s Implications in Early Diagnosis

4. Poster II: Label-Free, Magnetic Nanocarrier based, Precision Combinatorial Chemotherapeutics Treatment Against Metastatic Cancer for Recurrence-Free Survival.

The data was received very well. Onwards to publishing these interesting results this summer.

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Read our recap of a few novel ‘Blue-sky’ future applications of nanoparticles in the Biomedical Field

Over the last two decades, nanotechnology has become one of the most dynamically evolving fields of research. Various types of nanoparticles are widely exploited to extend our understanding of biological interactions at the molecular level. They are actively engaged in the biomedical research for imaging, biosensing, drug delivery and/or concurrent therapy. Recent progress on this field is briefly reviewed here with an emphasis placed on the wide imaging applications of nanoparticles. Collectively, this field will no doubt make a greater impact after we gradually address any potential risks of nanoparticles.

www.doi.org/10.30919/es8d708

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Nallathamby Laboratory in the ‘NEWS’ for Novel Approach to CAR-T Therapy

Glad to see that our work on using nanoparticle-based ON-OFF switches for CAR-T cells therapy against solid tumors is getting positive traction in the local media. Here is my interview with Kylie Veleta of Inside Indiana business on what motivates us to keep pushing forward. The website is Indiana business focused. The interview was part of the breast cancer awareness month. The full interview can be read at http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/39391168/researcher-tweaks-t-cells-for-tumors

Janus nanoparticles that are being developed as ON-OFF switches for CAR-T cells in anti-caner therapy

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Nanoparticles that act as an “on and off” switch to improve the safety and effectiveness of CAR-T cancer therapy

Always thankful for the internal support from Notre Dame Research #notredameresearch for supporting high risk-high gain projects such as mine. Here’s hoping that my faculty research support program initiation grant (FRSP-IG) #FRSP will pave the way for safer, more accessible CAR-T therapies and better quality of life for patients.

https://research.nd.edu/news/developing-an-on-and-off-switch-for-breast-cancer-treatment/

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Inaugural Woodward Family Endowment for excellence in NDNANO Undergraduate Research Awarded to Margo Waters

Congratulations to Margo Waters of the Nallathamby lab for having being selected for the Inaugural Woodward family endowment for excellence in NDnano undergraduate research! Margo has been an exceptional contributor to advancing research on novel cancer therapeutics in our lab. You can check out more about what motivates her at https://research.nd.edu/news/inaugural-woodward-family-endowment-for-excellence-in-ndnano-undergraduate-research-awarded/

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TechConnect 2018 an SBIR/STTR Haven

 

TechConnect #techconnect keeps getting better every year! Anaheim was a great location, with a good mix of entrepreneurs and investors! Looking forward to the next one in Boston in May 2019. I chaired a very engaging panel of experts who elaborated on the biggest problem facing the industrial production of uniform nanoparticles. I showcased Notre Dame’s expanding Nanoparticles synthesis capabilities. Prof. Leevy talked about the challenges of being an entrepreneur in an academic setting and how Notre Dame’s IDEA center #IDEAcenter is making that process easier. Dr. Andrew Wang, the co-founder of Ocean Nanotech and Alpha  BioBeads, talked about the current challenges of commercially synthesizing nanomaterials. Dr. Wei Wang or Saudi Aramco Research Center further expounded on the need to translate nanotechnology from a working concept in the lab to a fully working field instrument in challenging environments such as offshore oil wells. Finally, Dr. Parlak who founded ‘Qatch diagnostics technologies’ talked about the joys, pains and unique satisfaction of running a startup.

 

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College of Science Joint Annual Meeting (CoS-JAM) Poster Presentation (May 4, 2018)

The poster presented by the undergraduate researchers (Margo Waters and Veronica Kalwatjys), explaining their work on a rationally designed, modular antimicrobial nanoparticle system was well received at COS-JAM 2018. Margo worked on the synthesis of the antimicrobial nanoparticles. Veronica has started testing the antimicrobial properties of these nanoparticles under the direction of Dr. Juliane Hopf. The antimicrobial peptides were sourced from Francisco Fields of Prof. Shaun Lee’s lab.

In a time where we are facing an antibiotic resistance crisis, it is necessary to develop non-conventional antimicrobial substances. One possible route is the development of antimicrobial peptides on nanoparticles. The overall goal of our project is to determine if antibacterial peptides linked to antibacterial nanoparticles can completely inhibit bacterial growth. If we are successful, these particles have the potential to be coated onto orthopedic implants and surgical instruments, among others. The combination of antimicrobial peptides with nanoparticles will help to prevent infections following a surgery, thereby preventing the over-use of antibiotics. This could potentially decrease the development of new strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

 

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CD133+ Cancer Stem Cells Role in Metastasis

Excited for the 2nd publication this year through collaborative efforts with Harper Cancer Research Institute’s Karen Dahl (Title: CD133 Promotes Adhesion to the Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Niche). I did the 3D confocal imaging that showed CD133+ ovarian cancer cells clearly penetrate the basal epithelial cells, pointing to metastatic potential of stem cell like cancer cells. Looking forward to publishing more data this year on using novel bi-modal nanoprobes for targeted imaging of CD133+ ovarian cancer stem cells in vitro and in an in vivo model system.

(C) Representative Skov3IP-RFP and Skov3IP-PROM1 spheroids shown by fluorescence microscopy (original magnification ×10). (D) Representative Skov3IP-RFP and Skov3IP-PROM1 are shown as a Z-stack using confocal fluorescence microscopy (original magnification ×40). GFP indicates green fluorescent protein

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Society for Biomaterials (SFB) 2018 SYMPOSIUM

SFB 2018 from April 11 to April 14 was a great opportunity to meet experts in the field of immuno-engineering, biomedical imaging, and biomedical devices. The highlight of the trip was the information session held NIBIB on their latest program focussed on engineering immune responses.

Title: In Vivo Detection of Cancer Stem Cells by Dual Mode CT/Fluorescence Using Immunotargeted Nanoparticle Probes
Authors:  P. Nallathamby*¹, K. Dahl², R. Roeder¹;
¹University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN,
²Indiana University School of Medicine – South Bend, South Bend, IN
³Center for Nanoscience and Technology [NDnano]
Abstract Control ID: # 267

Title: Cytocompatibility of Hafnium Oxide Nanoparticle Imaging Probes Prepared Using a Novel Templated Synthesis
Authors:  P. Nallathamby*¹, V. Sokolova³, O. Prymak³, M. Epple³, R. Roeder¹;
¹University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN,
²Center for Nanoscience and Technology [NDnano]
³Inorganic Chemistry–University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
Abstract Control ID: # 984

 

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MRS 2018 SPRING SYMPOSIUM

I will be at MRS 2018 from April 1 to April 5 presenting my work on novel cancer therapeutics.

Title: Biocompatible, Radiotherapeutic Hafnium Oxide Nanoparticle Imaging Probes Prepared Using a Novel Templated Synthesis
Abstract Control ID: # 2884959
Paper # NM05.01.05
Presentation Date: April 2, 2018
Presentation Time: 9:30 AM to 9:45 AM
Location: PCC North, 200 Level, Room 229 B

Title: Magnetoelectric Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery of Novel Chemotherapeutic Cocktails to Prevent Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells
Abstract Control ID: # 2885296
Paper # NM07.06.04
Presenting Author: Prakash Nallathamby
Presentation Date: April 5, 2018
Presentation Time: 4:00 PM to 4:15 PM
Location: PCC North, 200 Level, Room 231 A

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ND-ECI Seminar with NDnano: Environmental Applications and Implications of Engineered Nanomaterials (March 21, 2018)

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6th Annual Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics (AD&T) Symposium -March 6, 2018

Undergraduate Research Assistant Margo Waters (Sophomore), at her first poster presentation. Margo synthesizes the anisotropic nanoparticles being used in the ongoing study looking into the applications of antimicrobial peptides@nanoparticles as surfactants on implant materials and medical devices. The project lead is Dr. Juliane Hopf and her undergraduate mentee is Veronica Kalwatjys. The work is in collaboration with Prof. Shrout’s lab and Francisco Fields of Prof. Lee’s lab.

 

“Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy by stepwise optical saturation” by Yide Zhang et al. https://lnkd.in/eCFdf6W I am happy to have supplied Yide Zhang with the fluorescent nanoparticle probes that he used in this proof of concept paper for a new super-resolution technique that he co-invented with his adviser, Prof.Scott Howard.