Attacking Cancer Cells With Solar Technology. / Attaccare le cellule tumorali con tecnologia solare.
Attacking Cancer Cells With Solar Technology. The process of the ENEA RM2012A000637 patent is very useful in this application. / Attaccare le cellule tumorali con tecnologia solare. Il procedimento del brevetto ENEA RM2012A000637 è molto utile in questa applicazione.
Segnalato dal Dott. Giuseppe Cotellessa / Reported by Dr. Giuseppe Cotellessa
Scientific breakthroughs don't always happen in labs. For Sophia and Richard Lunt, Michigan State University researchers, many of their breakthroughs happen during neighborhood walks.
The married couple's step-by-step approach has revealed a new way to detect and attack cancer cells using technology traditionally reserved for solar power. The results, published in the current issue of Scientific Reports, showcases dramatic improvements in light-activated fluorescent dyes for disease diagnosis, image-guided surgery and site-specific tumor treatment.
"We've tested this concept in breast, lung cancer and skin cancer cell lines and mouse models, and so far it's all looking remarkably promising," said Sophia, MSU biochemistry and molecular biologist.
While the cancer applications hold the most possibility, their findings have potential beyond the field of oncology, said Richard, the Johansen Crosby Endowed Professor of chemical engineering and materials science.
"This work has the potential to transform fluorescent probes for broad societal impact through applications ranging from biomedicine to photocatalysis - the acceleration of chemical reactions with light," he said. "Our solar research inspired this cancer project, and in turn, focusing on cancer cells has advanced our solar cell research; it's been an amazing feedback loop."
Prior to the Lunts' combined effort, fluorescent dyes used for therapeutics and diagnostics, aka "theranostics," had shortcomings, such as low brightness, high toxicity to cells, poor tissue penetration and unwanted side effects.
By optoelectronically tuning organic salt nanoparticles used as theranostics, the Lunts were able to control them in a range of cancer studies. Coaxing the nanoparticles into the nontoxic zone resulted in enhanced imaging, while pushing them into the phototoxic - or light-activated - range produced effective on-site tumor treatment.
The key was learning to control the electronics of their photoactive molecules independently from their optical properties and then making the leap to apply this understanding in a new way to a seemingly unrelated field.
Richard had recently discovered the ability to electronically tune these salts from his work in converting photovoltaics into solar glass. Sophia had long studied metabolic pathways unique to cancer cells. It was when the Lunts were discussing solar glass during a walk that they made the connection: Molecules active in the solar cells might also be used to more effectively target and kill cancer cells.
A journey of 1,000 miles
Their walks had rather unscientific beginnings. Shortly after the Lunts met at Princeton University, Richard moved to another university. To maintain their long-distance relationship, they scheduled daily phone calls. Upon their arrival at MSU, individual academic career demands replaced geographic distance as a challenge to their busy lives.
To connect daily, they take CEO-style walks together every evening. The two-mile saunters take place rain or shine, and they often engage in scientific discussions. The three keys to their walks are intentional curiosity, perseverance and the merging of different fields and perspectives, Sophia said.
"We talk science, strategic plans for our careers and our various grants," she said. "We ping ideas off each other. Our continual conversations brainstorming ideas on a particular topic or challenge often lead to those exciting 'aha' moments."
Their walks have helped them push through many challenges.
"Our first experiments did not turn out as expected; I'm surprised that we didn't give up given how crazy the idea seemed at first," Richard said. "Figuring out how to do this research took many walks."
Obviously, the results were worth the hike. Today, Richard designs the molecules; Babak Borhan, MSU chemist, synthesizes and improves them; and Sophia tests their photoactive inventions in cancer cell lines and mouse models.
Future research will work to improve the theranostics' effectiveness, decrease toxicity and reduce side effects. The Lunts have applied for a patent for their work, and they're looking forward to eventually pushing their photoactive molecule findings through clinical trials.
"Though that will take many more walks," Richard said with a smile.
The married couple's step-by-step approach has revealed a new way to detect and attack cancer cells using technology traditionally reserved for solar power. The results, published in the current issue of Scientific Reports, showcases dramatic improvements in light-activated fluorescent dyes for disease diagnosis, image-guided surgery and site-specific tumor treatment.
"We've tested this concept in breast, lung cancer and skin cancer cell lines and mouse models, and so far it's all looking remarkably promising," said Sophia, MSU biochemistry and molecular biologist.
While the cancer applications hold the most possibility, their findings have potential beyond the field of oncology, said Richard, the Johansen Crosby Endowed Professor of chemical engineering and materials science.
"This work has the potential to transform fluorescent probes for broad societal impact through applications ranging from biomedicine to photocatalysis - the acceleration of chemical reactions with light," he said. "Our solar research inspired this cancer project, and in turn, focusing on cancer cells has advanced our solar cell research; it's been an amazing feedback loop."
Prior to the Lunts' combined effort, fluorescent dyes used for therapeutics and diagnostics, aka "theranostics," had shortcomings, such as low brightness, high toxicity to cells, poor tissue penetration and unwanted side effects.
By optoelectronically tuning organic salt nanoparticles used as theranostics, the Lunts were able to control them in a range of cancer studies. Coaxing the nanoparticles into the nontoxic zone resulted in enhanced imaging, while pushing them into the phototoxic - or light-activated - range produced effective on-site tumor treatment.
The key was learning to control the electronics of their photoactive molecules independently from their optical properties and then making the leap to apply this understanding in a new way to a seemingly unrelated field.
Richard had recently discovered the ability to electronically tune these salts from his work in converting photovoltaics into solar glass. Sophia had long studied metabolic pathways unique to cancer cells. It was when the Lunts were discussing solar glass during a walk that they made the connection: Molecules active in the solar cells might also be used to more effectively target and kill cancer cells.
A journey of 1,000 miles
Their walks had rather unscientific beginnings. Shortly after the Lunts met at Princeton University, Richard moved to another university. To maintain their long-distance relationship, they scheduled daily phone calls. Upon their arrival at MSU, individual academic career demands replaced geographic distance as a challenge to their busy lives.
To connect daily, they take CEO-style walks together every evening. The two-mile saunters take place rain or shine, and they often engage in scientific discussions. The three keys to their walks are intentional curiosity, perseverance and the merging of different fields and perspectives, Sophia said.
"We talk science, strategic plans for our careers and our various grants," she said. "We ping ideas off each other. Our continual conversations brainstorming ideas on a particular topic or challenge often lead to those exciting 'aha' moments."
Their walks have helped them push through many challenges.
"Our first experiments did not turn out as expected; I'm surprised that we didn't give up given how crazy the idea seemed at first," Richard said. "Figuring out how to do this research took many walks."
Obviously, the results were worth the hike. Today, Richard designs the molecules; Babak Borhan, MSU chemist, synthesizes and improves them; and Sophia tests their photoactive inventions in cancer cell lines and mouse models.
Future research will work to improve the theranostics' effectiveness, decrease toxicity and reduce side effects. The Lunts have applied for a patent for their work, and they're looking forward to eventually pushing their photoactive molecule findings through clinical trials.
"Though that will take many more walks," Richard said with a smile.
ITALIANO
Le scoperte scientifiche non sempre accadono nei laboratori. Per Sophia e Richard Lunt, ricercatori della Michigan State University, molte delle loro scoperte avvengono durante le passeggiate nei dintorni.
L'approccio passo-passo della coppia sposata ha rivelato un nuovo modo di rilevare e attaccare le cellule tumorali utilizzando la tecnologia tradizionalmente riservata all'energia solare. I risultati, pubblicati nell'attuale numero di Scientific Reports, mostrano notevoli miglioramenti nei coloranti fluorescenti attivati dalla luce per la diagnosi della malattia, la chirurgia guidata da immagini e il trattamento del tumore specifico del sito.
"Abbiamo testato questo concetto su linee cellulari e modelli di topo di carcinoma mammario, polmonare e cutaneo, e finora sembra tutto molto promettente", ha affermato Sophia, biochimica MSU e biologa molecolare.
Mentre le applicazioni per il cancro hanno la maggior possibilità, i loro risultati hanno un potenziale oltre il campo dell'oncologia, ha affermato Richard, il professore di ingegneria chimica e scienza dei materiali di Johansen Crosby.
"Questo lavoro ha il potenziale di trasformare sonde fluorescenti per un ampio impatto sociale attraverso applicazioni che vanno dalla biomedicina alla fotocatalisi - l'accelerazione delle reazioni chimiche con la luce", ha affermato. "La nostra ricerca sul solare ha ispirato questo progetto sul cancro e, a sua volta, concentrarsi sulle cellule tumorali ha fatto progredire la nostra ricerca sulle celle solari; è stato un incredibile circuito di feedback".
Prima dello sforzo combinato dei Lunts, i coloranti fluorescenti utilizzati per la terapia e la diagnostica, noti anche come "teranostici", presentavano carenze, quali bassa luminosità, elevata tossicità per le cellule, scarsa penetrazione nei tessuti ed effetti collaterali indesiderati.
Sintonizzando optoelettronicamente le nanoparticelle di sale organiche usate come teranostici, i Lunts sono stati in grado di controllarli in una serie di studi sul cancro. Il coassiale delle nanoparticelle nella zona non tossica ha comportato un miglioramento dell'imaging, mentre la loro spinta nella gamma fototossica - o attivata dalla luce - ha prodotto un efficace trattamento del tumore in loco.
La chiave era imparare a controllare l'elettronica delle loro molecole fotoattive indipendentemente dalle loro proprietà ottiche e quindi fare il salto per applicare questa comprensione in un modo nuovo a un campo apparentemente non correlato.
Richard aveva recentemente scoperto la capacità di ottimizzare elettronicamente questi sali dal suo lavoro di conversione del fotovoltaico in vetro solare. Sophia aveva studiato a lungo le vie metaboliche uniche delle cellule tumorali. Fu quando i Lunts discutevano del vetro solare durante una passeggiata che stabilirono la connessione: le molecole attive nelle celle solari potevano anche essere usate per colpire e uccidere le cellule tumorali in modo più efficace.
Un viaggio di 1.000 miglia
Le loro passeggiate hanno avuto un inizio piuttosto poco scientifico. Poco dopo l'incontro dei Lunts alla Princeton University, Richard si trasferì in un'altra università. Per mantenere la loro relazione interurbana, hanno programmato telefonate quotidiane. Al loro arrivo alla MSU, le richieste di carriera accademica individuali hanno sostituito la distanza geografica come una sfida alla loro vita frenetica.
Per connettersi quotidianamente, fanno passeggiate in stile CEO insieme ogni sera. I cacciatori di due miglia hanno luogo pioggia o sole e spesso si impegnano in discussioni scientifiche. Le tre chiavi delle loro passeggiate sono la curiosità intenzionale, la perseveranza e la fusione di diversi campi e prospettive, ha detto Sophia.
"Parliamo di scienza, piani strategici per le nostre carriere e le nostre varie borse di studio", ha detto. "Ci scambiamo idee a vicenda. Le nostre continue conversazioni di brainstorming di idee su un argomento o una sfida particolare spesso portano a quegli eccitanti momenti 'aha'."
Le loro passeggiate li hanno aiutati a superare molte sfide.
"I nostri primi esperimenti non si sono rivelati come previsto; sono sorpreso che non ci siamo arresi, dato che all'inizio sembrava folle l'idea", ha detto Richard. "Capire come fare questa ricerca ha fatto molte passeggiate."
Ovviamente, i risultati sono valsi l'escursione. Oggi Richard progetta le molecole; Babak Borhan, chimico MSU, li sintetizza e li migliora; e Sophia testa le loro invenzioni fotoattive nelle linee cellulari tumorali e nei modelli di topo.
Le ricerche future lavoreranno per migliorare l'efficacia dei teranostici, ridurre la tossicità e ridurre gli effetti collaterali. I Lunts hanno richiesto un brevetto per il loro lavoro e non vedono l'ora di spingere i loro risultati molecolari fotoattivi attraverso studi clinici.
"Anche se ciò richiederà molte più passeggiate", disse Richard con un sorriso.
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