CARTHER

 
 
CARTHER project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sokolowski-Curie grant agreement No 690945.

The project aims to carry out a systematic interdisciplinary study of carbon-based nanomaterials, particularly, nanodiamonds, for advanced theranostic application.
  • Efficiency and specific localization in biological cells depending on surface chemistry
  • Luminescent properties, photo-induced electrical and thermal effects
  • Intrinsic selective therapy based on the photo-excitation effect
  • Design imaging therapeutic agents

In the frame of this project RAY has developed special techniques for nanodiamonds surface modification enabling high photo-luminescence (PL). These bright nanodiamonds with the average size of 5 nm are studied as efficient multi-modal bio-imaging agents for luminescence, photo-induced electrical and acoustic techniques for their localization in living cells. Moreover, photo-exciting properties used for the bio-imaging purpose are applied for therapy of cancer cells and tissues.

RAY participates in this project together with the University INSA de Lyon (France), coordinator, Aston University (UK) and Corporation Science Park Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv (Ukraine). Strongly complementary research experiences of the partners and high degree of cooperative integration between them allow a deep scientific study of the theranostic potential of the carbon nanomaterials in general and nanodiamonds in particular.
 
Fig.1. PL map of RAY nanodiamonds.
 

Fig.1. PL map of RAY nanodiamonds.

 
Fig. 2. RAY nanodiamonds demonstrate high efficiency in cell imaging.
 

Fig. 2. RAY nanodiamonds demonstrate high efficiency in cell imaging.

 
Fig. 3. Specially modified RAY nanodiamonds in the concentration of 1 mg/ml “kill” cancer cells (Panc01) almost not affecting the healthy tissue (3T3-L1).
 

Fig. 3. Specially modified RAY nanodiamonds in the concentration of 1 mg/ml “kill” cancer cells (Panc01) almost not affecting the healthy tissue (3T3-L1). Panc01 control and 3T3-L1 control graphs were obtained without nanodiamonds in the added solution. Cell index indicates that, in contrast to Panc01 control, Panc01 treated with 1mg/mL nanodiamonds stopped multiplying, while 3T3-L1 cells with and without nanodiamonds behave similar. This fact confirmed using various cancer and non-cancer cell lines opens prospect of use nanodiamonds as non-toxic therapeutic agent.