DAAD-Go8 Collaboration
Novel Functionalised Nanoparticles for
Application in the Imaging of Cancer
Leone Spiccia
School of Chemistry
Monash University
Holger Stephan
Institute of Radiopharmacy
Research Centre DresdenRossendorf (FZD)
Objective of Australian-German Partnership
• Develop improved copper-based radiopharmaceuticals
• Develop novel superparamagnetic multi-modality nanoparticles
Imaging and therapy of cancer
Monash:
Synthesis of novel molecules
and nanomaterials
FZD:
Characterization of radiopharmaceuticals
Achievements:
• Active collaboration established
• Development of highly-stable (novel) radiocopperbased peptides for imaging of cancer (joint paper +
joint paper in preparation)
PICTURE OF
DMPTACN + PEPTIDE
- NICE ONE ON FZR
REPORT FROM
MEMORY
Tumor visualization
Achievements:
• Development of superparamagnetic nanoparticles that
penetrate into cancer cells (joint paper in preparation)
TEM of magnetite nanoparticles
Cellular uptake of SP-NP into BT-474 cells
Achievements:
• New projects are emerging - Infrared imaging dyes
• Multidisciplinary training for PhD students
Jose Solano, Katrin Jaeger and Alexander Ruffani
Main challenges:
• Further enhancing the multidisciplinary training for PhD students
• Achieving materials that compete with commercial products
• Translation of laboratory developments into clinical trials requires
long-lasting collaboration
• Securing funding for current projects and for future joint projects:
• Ongoing travel funding – these are mid to long term projects
• Personnel and maintenance to expand scope of collaboration
• Recruitment of high-quality researchers/students
Strategy:
• Seek further DAAD support for travel
• Explore EU/Australia joint funding opportunities
• Target Marie Curie, ARC, NHMRC & other fellowship schemes
• Aggressive promotion of our research