(348f) Formation of Multifunctional Nanoparticles by Integrated Electrospray and Microfluidics for Cancer Imaging, Diagnostics and Therapy

Multifunctional nanoparticles with combined imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic functions have attracted lots of research interest in cancer early detection and therapy. Here, we present a novel method to produce multifunctional lipoplex nanoparticles by the combination of electrohydrodynamics spraying (EHDS) and microfluidics (concentric microfludics and micromixer). In this method, microfludics is used to bring all components in a well controlled manner, and the pre-formed liquid mixture is dispersed into tiny droplets by EHDS. With quick evaporation of solvents due to the huge surface areas of the tiny droplets, multifunctional lipoplex nanoparticles are formed rapidly. In our work, oligonucleotide (ODN) was chosen as the model therapeutic agent and quantum dots were chosen as model imaging or diagnostic agents. Transferrin was conjugated on surfaces of multifunctional nanoparticles to provide targeting ability. We investigated the effects of production parameters (flow rates, concentrations, etc.) on the size and structure of multifunctional lipoplex nanoparticles using dynamic light scattering, CryoTEM, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and confocal microscopy. The biological activities of multifunctional lipoplex nanoparticles were further examined in K562 cells. The combination of microfluidics and EHDS provides a new, rapid and real -time method for production of multifunctional nanoparticles.