1. Improving Field-Induced Magnetic Nanoparticle Drug Delivery BME 273 Group 15 Team Leader : Ashwath Jayagopal (BME, EE, MATH) Members : Sanjay Athavale (BME) and Amit Parikh (BME) Advisor : Dr. Dennis Hallahan, Chairman of Radiation Oncology and Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University

2. There is a strong rationale for magnetic nanoparticle related design projects Drug Delivery Improving noninvasive medical imaging (MRI) Microsensors Gene Therapy

3. The properties of magnetic nanoparticles can be varied to make a specific recipe Gold-coated iron nanoparticles exhibit different absorption spectrums for use in medical imaging (Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2000) Diameter Coating Chemical modifications Absorption, tracer strength

4. Our project aims to improve the processes of magnetic nanoparticle drug delivery There are several primary concepts involved: Magnetic nanoparticle properties (Ga. Tech) External field induction design Heating and irradiation Chemical enhancements Goal : A process that results in homogenous and local drug distribution in a variety of tumors

5. We seek to combine several aspects in order to enhance magnetofection in tumors Feasible: Microelectromagnet Current loop, multi-layered wire matrix Heating and irradiation processes Not possible: Alteration of nanoparticle properties Chemical purification and coating

6. There are several obstacles that demand attention Nanoparticle Aggregation Tumor Permeability Drug Delivery location and duration Resources Controllable? Sizing (immune system detection, circulation stability) Low energy barrier (for rapid magnetic state changes)

7. Current Status Certification, have met with all relevant VUMC personnel Have requested magnetic nanoparticle sample sets of various properties Consulting Dr. Hallahan and other personnel on possibility of designing a microelectromagnet for our purpose Scheduled to observe magnetic nanoparticle mobility experiments

8. Future Objectives Conduct experiments on mice tumors using nanoparticles (otherwise using tumor models), once samples obtained Open consultation with nanotechnology group at Georgia Tech Begin design of a microelectromagnet “trap” to achieve homogenous nanoparticle distribution Continue consultation with all involved personnel

9. Current Individual Responsibilities Ashwath : team leader, directly responsible for reporting progress to advisor and related personnel. Involved in design and contacts with related research companies. Sanjay : Involved in research related to magnetic nanoparticle drug delivery. Amit : Patent searching, researching possible methods of trapping nanoparticles to achieve a desired distribution.