Abstract

Nanotechnology offers new possibilities in Medicine. The capabilities to develop new materials with atomic control and the interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology are at the forefront of new therapies and diagnosis. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) constitute nowadays a vast field of research due to the current and expected applications in nanobiomedicine. The potential of the MNPs arises from the intrinsic properties of their magnetic cores, combined with the functionality acquired under an appropriate coating. The capability for loading, carrying, targeting and controlling the release of drugs is one of the main issues in cancer therapy. The biofunctionalization of the nanoparticles surface make them suitable for magnetic separation based on the biomolecular recognition of biological moieties. New inmunomagnetic assays using magnetic nanoparticles provide a new route to quantify the analite detection in biosensors. The presence of MNPs perturbs locally the hydrogen proton relaxation; this phenomenon is on the bases of MRI tomography diagnostic using contrast agents. Targeting of these contrast agents could detect angiogenesis processes at early stages.

In this talk, the speaker will depict a brief review of all these different applications emphasizing the application of electromagnetic waves in new therapies based on magnetic hyperthermia (MH). He will focus on dendritic cells (DCs) as the main candidate for magnetic hyperthermia. MH is based on the use of MNPs to selectively increase the temperature of MNP-loaded target tissues when applying an alternating magnetic field (AMF) in the range of radiofrequency. To date, MH research has focused on heat generation in an attempt to elucidate the mechanisms for the death of MNP-loaded cells submitted to AMF. In recent in vitro studies, the feasibility of inducing dramatic cell death without increasing the macroscopic temperature has been demonstrated during AMF exposure. Here, it shows that the cell death observed following AMF exposure, specifically that of MNPs loaded dendritic cells (DCs) in culture, was caused by the release of toxic agents into the cell culture supernatants and not due to a macroscopic temperature increase.

About the speaker

Prof Manuel Ricardo Ibarra García received his BSc in physics from the University of Granada in 1979 and his PhD in physics from the University of Zaragoza in 1983. He is the Founding Director of the Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon, Director of the Advanced Microscopy Laboratory and Professor of Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Zaragoza, Spain. Prof Ibarra also serves as the Head of the Magnetism Section of the European Physical Society and the managing partner of three spin-off companies. He is also the Visiting Fellow of HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study.

His research excellence was recognized by the region of Aragon and the Spanish government. He has made major contributions in areas such as magnetic anisotropy in rare earth intermetallics, colossal magnetoresistance in mixed valent magnetic oxides, giant magnetocaloric effect alloys, and the applications of nanoparticles in biomedicine and magnetoresistive sensors.

Prof Ibarra was awarded the Plaque of Honour AEC-2014 by the Spanish Scientists Association and the CSIC Honor Tribute 2009 by the Spanish National Research Council. He has also received an honorary doctorate degree from the AGH University at Krakow, Poland in 2008.

For attendees’ attention

The lecture is free and open to all. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study
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