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   ANM 2010
    3rd International Conference on Advanced Nano Materials
    12-15 September 2010 - Agadir, Morocco

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   Abstract


ANMM194
THERMOSENSITIVE HYDROGELS INCORPORATING GOLD NANOSTRUCTURES
A.L. Daniel-da-Silva, J. Moreira, R. Neto, A.M. Gil, T. Trindade
CICECO - Chemistry Dept., University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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At present time, clinicians deal with the need of novel therapeutic systems incorporating several functions on one platform, such as targeting, imaging and therapy, in order to provide an early disease diagnosis and simultaneous monitoring and treatment, as a response to the corresponding therapy. One promising route for preparing these platforms includes the synthesis of nanocomposites which synergistically combine the properties of the individual components with improved final features.
This work was focused on the synthesis and characterization of bionanocomposites comprising a naturally occurring polymeric matrix with thermoreversible properties (carrageenan hydrogel) and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as a dispersed phase. Hydrogels are commonly used as drug carriers, and Au NPs have found application in optical clinical imaging and new bio-applications are in perspective since gold nanostructures have found to emit intense heat upon adequate optical stimuli. Here an integrated characterization approach, comprising thermal, rheological and vibrational spectroscopy measurements, was carried out to investigate the effect of incorporating Au NPs into the hydrogel matrix. The modulated release of a soluble drug trapped in the bionanocomposites was induced by thermal and optical stimuli and has been studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy.
The nanocomposites developed in the way described above will combine the optical properties arising from Au NPs, as well as the thermosensitivity and hydrophilicity from hydrogels, making them promising candidates for novel platforms implying diagnostic and therapeutic abilities for various biomedical applications.
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