Theranostics of Epitaxially Condensed Colloidal Nanocrystal Clusters, through a Soft Biomineralization Route

In this work we describe the synthesis of condensed clustered MIONs obtained through biomineralization and epitaxial aggregation in the presence of alginate at ambient conditions, mimicking the process that so far has been achieved only by nature, in iron-oxidizing bacteria. These condensed-type magnetic nanostructures exhibit higher magnetophoretic responses compared to other types of magnetic colloids and clustered systems. The soft environmental conditions used for the synthesis of the magnetic nanosystems enables the alginate coating material to retain high drug loading ability for the doxorubicin molecule as well as strong binding proclivity for radionuclides. The strong binding of doxorubicin forms the physical basis to obtain magnetic nanocarriers, where the selective release of the drug occurs only under the action of external stimuli, such as remote magnetic hyperthermia or increased temperature (i.e., inflamed tissue).

Zoppellaro, G.; Kolokithas-Ntoukas, A.; Polakova, K.; Tucek, J.; Zboril, R.; Loudos, G.; Fragogeorgi, E.; Diwoky, C.; Tomankova, K.; Avgoustakis, K.; Kouzoudis, D.; Bakandritsos, A. Theranostics of Epitaxially Condensed Colloidal Nanocrystal Clusters, through a Soft Biomineralization Route. Chem. Mater. 2014, 26, 2062-2074.