MRC PhD student

Level of study: PhD

Title: The Use Of Functionalized Goldnanoparticles And Quantum Dots As Delivery And Imaging Agents To The White Adipose Tissue Vasculature.

Project summary: Nanotechnology is relatively a new field of science that involves the use of small particles at atomic and molecular scale. This technology can be applied in medical diagnostics, drug delivery/targeted therapeutics and molecular imaging. Various nanoparticles functionalized with different biomolecules, such as peptides and antibodies have been successfully used in many therapeutic and research applications due to their versatility, ease of chemical synthesis, less toxicity and unique properties. Therefore, this study will specifically aimed on the use of biocompatible, peptide conjugated Gold nanoparticles and Quantum dots as delivery and imaging agents in targeting the white adipose tissue vasculature during the development of obesity, respectively.

Supervisors: Dr AM Madiehe
Study Institution: University of the Western Cape
MRC Unit: Diabetes Research Unit