Mason Scientists Revolutionize Cancer Identification

Article, photos, video by Connect Mason Reporter Zahira Khan

A groundbreaking innovative nanotechnology designed by scientists at George Mason University’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine could revolutionize the way cancer and other diseases are identified and treated.

The new “smart hydrogel nanoparticle” absorbs protein biomarkers in the bloodstream that could potentially be carrying indicators of a disease or cancer. Once the blood is extracted, the hydrogel nanoparticle protects the biomarkers from degenerating so that physicians can examine the samples.

Watch Alessandra Luchini, author of the “Nano Letters” paper and part of the research team, describe the nanotechnology and its role in early detection.

The new technology can be programmed to target certain types of biomarkers and latch on to them for early detection.

According to Luchini, the structure of the nanoparticle allows for it to capture the biomarkers without letting them break out.

Funded by the Italian government, the invention has the chance to make a positive impact on the public, and on those people with schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, infectious diseases and cancer.

“After short incubation, less than ten minutes, biomarkers are inside the particle while unwanted proteins are left outside,” said Dr. Luchini. “It’s now easy to separate particles from blood and analyze their content with routine techniques.”

The research team at Mason’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine which includes co-directors Lance Liotta, and Emanuel Petricoin have decided to commercialize their findings. Their new company, Theranostics Health, is headed by Joe Reilly.

Students are also involved in the innovative research.

“My role in the nanoparticle design project is the synthesis of new nanoparticles” said Alexis Patanarut, a student working towards a Ph.D. in Physical Science at the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine. “I am also involved in the characterization of their physical properties in order to gain further understanding and control of the synthesis and application of the nanoparticles.”

In a press conference video posted online at Mason, Reilly said that Theranostics’ first priority is to establish collaborations with pharmaceutical companies to test their technology, and then to distribute the innovation to physicians and hospitals.