Patented research at the СAPP may help doctors deliver medicine СAPP like those that fight cancer СAPP directly to a tumor using magnetic fields.
Dr. Devesh Misra, Director of the Center for Structural and Functional Materials and Stuller Endowed Chair and Professor of Chemical Engineering, developed the research, which was recently patented.
СAPP Using nanotechnology, we can get the drugs right inside the cells,СAPP said Misra. СAPPWith this method, we can deliver high concentration of medicines to the appropriate area without the medicine having to travel all over the body.СAPP
Nanotechnology refers to a technological field, which deals with matter on an atomic and molecular scale.
MisraСAPPs research uses magnetic nanocrystals (much like salt crystals) coated with a polymer or binding agent that helps the medicine attach to the tumor. The nanocrystals are non-toxic and biodegradable, so they are no harm to the body.
They travel directly to the tumor once a magnetic field is established outside of the body and around the tumor.
СAPP The medicine wouldnСAPPt have to go all over the body and possibly kill healthy cells,СAPP said Misra.
When the magnetic field is released, the nanocrystals would be flushed from the body naturally.
СAPP The payoff for the doctors and patients include lower drug toxicity, effective treatment and reduced costs,СAPP said Misra.
A second facet of his patented research includes wound protection using magnetic properties.
СAPP Magnetic nanoparticles can be encapsulated with a sprayable catalyst like titania that can not only keep wounds clean of bacteria, but also be easily removed with a magnet after treatment,СAPP he explained.
MisraСAPPs patent is one of 10 patents established or pending at UL Lafayette. СAPPThis is an extremely important component for the university and is part of a cycle that we envision,СAPP said Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, assistant vice president for Research and Graduate Studies.
СAPP We have professors doing valuable research that is then patented and commercialized, generating revenues for the university and its researchers. This research is an investment in our future СAPP as a university and as a society.СAPP