Multidisciplinary research grant
Dr Justyna Zeler’s project (Faculty of Chemistry) won external funding of PLN 2 459 520 from National Science Centre as a matter of OPUS 25 competition at the end of 2023. The subject of study: Persistent luminescence thermometry of nano-phosphors and their biomedical potential.
Tumors of an unrestricted growth and spreading are one of the most dangerous and tough diseases to cure. Standard treatment procedures, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, loads the patient’s body as well as on a crucial level damage healthy cells and tissues. To minimalize side effects, usually very severe, and reduce the period of recuperation, personalized teranostatic therapies are in development, which successful executing will be a huge step in improving life.
NCN-OPUS project will be accomplished by research team, in which composition will be included experienced researchers, doctoral students as well as students of the Faculties of Chemistry and Biotechnology of the University of Wrocław. The willingness to join in the projects demonstrated also physicists of the University of Aveiro in Portugal. Designed researches are indeed truthfully multidisciplinary.
Main purpose of the study is designing, synthesizing and in-depth described research of luminescent materials, which could be useful in optical imaging cancer tissues and checking their temperature at the same time by strongly depending on the temperature of effects of luminescent nanophosphors. In that, precise controlling microwave hyperthermia in personalized therapy of tumors, making it more effective and secure (see reference drawing below). A crucial job of the research plan will be an evaluation of cytotoxicology in nanoparticules in terms of right ones (keratinocytes, fibroblasts) and cancerous (melanoma and breast cancer lines) human cells as well as their ability to filter inside the cells.
To check which projects of the researchers of the University of Wrocław got external funding within the latest settling of National Science Centre’s Preludium and OPUS competitions, read here: Grants for researchers of the University of Wrocław.
Translated by Wiktoria Dybek (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
