Paper Title
Theranostic Drug Delivery Platforms and Nanocomposite Polymers for Neurological and Reconstructive Surgical Applications
Abstract
The concept of nanotechnology has evolved tremendously ever since Richard Feynman put forward the idea in his
lecture, There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom, in 1959. For instance, the scanning tunnelling microscope, and the discovery
of fullerenes and graphene are materials and tools that hinge upon the very foundation of nanotechnology. We have
developed a platform technology that utilises the concept of nanotechnology for applications in neurological and surgical
applications. Our group at University College London and Stanford University have developed a family of nanoparticles that
are able to function as both diagnostic and therapeutic (theranostic) agents. This proprietary technology allows the delivery
of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer, and also siRNA for gene therapy. Due to their small size, these
nanoparticles also have the ability to penetrate the blood-brain-barrier, allowing for effective neoadjuvant and adjuvant
treatment of brain tumours. As these nanoparticles are biocompatible and haemocompatible, we have also modified its
chemistry to suit a different application – surgical implants. The resulting nanocomposite polymer can function as conduits
for nerve regeneration. Furthermore, its unique bottom-up self-assembly characteristic allows for the incorporation of
various growth factors and peptides to enhance neuronal cell regeneration. Taken together, our nanotechnology platform
harbours the potential to function as novel theranostic agents in neurological and reconstructive surgery.
Keywords: Nanotechnology; Regenerative medicine; Theranostics; Neurosurgery; Plastic surgery