Jonas Czwalinna

Master student

Study of synthesis parameter effects on lauric acid coated SPIONs using DoE approach

Supervisors:  M.Sc. Nel Schulte, Prof. Christoph Alexiou, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have emerged as a promising platform for a broad variety of medical applications such as magnetic hypothermia, imaging and magnetic drug targeting due to their excellent magnetic properties, biocompatibility, controlled maneuverability under external magnetic fields, and potential to reduce systemic side effects associated with conventional therapies [1]. Surface modification of SPIONs is essential to enhance their stability and functionality. Lauric acid, a biocompatible fatty acid, offers an effective coating that improves colloidal stability and provides a suitable interface for drug conjugation [2]. In this study, a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach is employed to systematically investigate the influence of key synthesis parameters and their effects on the physicochemical properties of lauric acid-coated SPIONs. The work is carried out on a particle system developed by the Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), led by Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Alexiou, in collaboration with the Institute of Biomaterials, led by Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini.

[1]        Dulińska-Litewka, J.; Łazarczyk, A.; Hałubiec, P.; Szafrański, O.; Karnas, K.; Karewicz, A. Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles—Current and Prospective Medical Applications. Materials 2019, 12, 617.

[2]        Zaloga, J., Janko, C., Nowak, J., Matuszak, J., Knaup, S., Eberbeck, D., … Alexiou, C. (2014). Development of a lauric acid/albumin hybrid iron oxide nanoparticle system with improved biocompatibility. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 9, 4847–4866.