Grant: Research Tools and Instruments
University of Victoria
$149,968.00
3-D upgrade to a hyperspectral dark field microscope
EF 2020-21
Résumé
This proposal seeks resources for an urgent upgrade to our dark field hyperspectral microscope. A dark field microscope allows image of even nanoscopic objects, such as nanoparticles, while also recording their scattering characteristics. Our current system is used by more than 20 researchers from different research groups in science and in engineering. However, the current system only allows 2D (planar) imaging, which is a serious impediment to various of the research projects already being developed. The upgrade will allow 3D imaging (sectioning and depth profiling (tens of micrometers deep)) which is essential to enable visualization and location of nano-objects in a variety of systems, including living cells, tissues, bacteria, gels and polymeric particles. The research projects that will be possible due to the upgrade include a protocol to increase the efficiency of cancer radiotherapy through the introduction of metallic nanoparticles in the tumour site. Novel metallic nanoparticles will be fabricated and introduced to cancer cells that will be subsequently subject to various radiation doses. This will allow the development of probes that will improve the outcomes of radiotherapy, one of the most used methods for cancer treatment. The uptake of nanoparticles by biological systems will also be investigated using a novel polymer metal nanoparticle composite, which has the potential to deliver drugs directly to tumour sites. This will support the development of new vehicles for smart drug treatments that will also improve outcomes of cancer therapy. The upgraded system will enable this research by providing the proper characterization (location) of the nanoparticles within the cells. Beyond cancer research, the new upgrade will also be used to visualize in 3D the interaction between bacteria and cell membranes and the time dependent behaviour of molecular systems in gel networks. This type of information will be useful to the understanding of the mechanism of diseases and it will drive the development of target drugs to fight the spread of infections.
Programme
Research Tools and Instruments
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
British Columbia, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
RTI-2021-00220
Name nom
Brolo, Alexandre
Department département
Department of Chemistry
Organization id
7
Institution établissement
University of Victoria
Province en
British Columbia
Province fr
Colombie-Britannique
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2020
Competition year année de concours
2021
Award amount
149968
Program id
RTI
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1604
Committee name en
Chemistry (RTI)
Committee name fr
Chimie (OIR)
Area of application code
1102
Area of application group en
Health, education and social services
Area of application group fr
Santé publique, éducation et services sociaux
Area of application en
Biomedical engineering
Area of application fr
Génie biomédical
Research subject code
3404
Research subject group en
Physical chemistry
Research subject group fr
Chimie physique
Research subject en
Biophysical chemistry
Research subject fr
Chimie biophysique
Installment
inst:1-1
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
3-D upgrade to a hyperspectral dark field microscope
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
This proposal seeks resources for an urgent upgrade to our dark field hyperspectral microscope. A dark field microscope allows image of even nanoscopic objects, such as nanoparticles, while also recording their scattering characteristics. Our current system is used by more than 20 researchers from different research groups in science and in engineering. However, the current system only allows 2D (planar) imaging, which is a serious impediment to various of the research projects already being developed. The upgrade will allow 3D imaging (sectioning and depth profiling (tens of micrometers deep)) which is essential to enable visualization and location of nano-objects in a variety of systems, including living cells, tissues, bacteria, gels and polymeric particles. The research projects that will be possible due to the upgrade include a protocol to increase the efficiency of cancer radiotherapy through the introduction of metallic nanoparticles in the tumour site. Novel metallic nanoparticles will be fabricated and introduced to cancer cells that will be subsequently subject to various radiation doses. This will allow the development of probes that will improve the outcomes of radiotherapy, one of the most used methods for cancer treatment. The uptake of nanoparticles by biological systems will also be investigated using a novel polymer metal nanoparticle composite, which has the potential to deliver drugs directly to tumour sites. This will support the development of new vehicles for smart drug treatments that will also improve outcomes of cancer therapy. The upgraded system will enable this research by providing the proper characterization (location) of the nanoparticles within the cells. Beyond cancer research, the new upgrade will also be used to visualize in 3D the interaction between bacteria and cell membranes and the time dependent behaviour of molecular systems in gel networks. This type of information will be useful to the understanding of the mechanism of diseases and it will drive the development of target drugs to fight the spread of infections.
