Two major concerns that the healthcare system faces nowadays include cancer and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to antibiotics. Nanotechnology appears as a solution, which might overcome some limitations from current medical treatments. Moreover, despite advances in nanoscale fabrication, there is a need to find alternatives to the traditional synthesis of nanomaterials, which provide a threat to both the environment and society. In this context, Green Nanotechnology is presented, with cost-effective and environmentally friendly approaches for nanoparticle synthesis. In this project, starch-mediated tellurium nanowires (TeNWs) were employed as templates for the in-situ growth of palladium and platinum oxide nanoparticles for cancer and antimicrobial applications. Specifically, the noble metal-chalcogen nanocomposites were characterized, showing antibacterial activity against AMR bacterial strains, Multidrug resistant Escherichia coli and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria at concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 µg mL-1 over a 24h period. Moreover, cell studies were completed with human dermal fibroblasts and melanoma cells for five days, showing no significant cytotoxic effect at nanocomposite concentrations up to 25 µg mL-1, while triggering a dose-dependent anticancer effect in the same range. The combination of reactive oxygen species and nanocomposite shape were identified as main mechanism of action of the nanostructures.
2021
Winner
Antibacterial and Cytotoxicity Analysis of Tellurium-Based Nanocomposites
Presenter: Ada Vernet-Crua
Research Category: Engineering and Technology
College: College of Engineering
Major(s): Chemical Engineering
Student Type: Graduate
Graduation Date: 2022