Project 2

PROJECT 2 will explore issues related to the progression kinetics of a primary hepatic tumor (hepatocellular carcinoma), developing a broader understanding of the biophysical barriers involved in the Radio Frequency (RF) based thermal therapy and MRI/CT imaging of HCC employing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and fullerene particles (nano-C60) (Figure 2). These will include the transport of the nanoparticles towards the lesion; the sufficient and specific accumulation of the nanoparticles within the tumor cells; the heat generation upon RF activation and the heat transfer to the surrounding tissue. This goal will be achieved through an integrated process where in-vitro testing and in-vivo studies are combined with predictive in-silico mathematical models.

Figure 2: Project 2:  Non-invasive radio-frequency field induced thermal destruction of malignant cells in human hepatocellular cancer (Curley/Wilson). Targeted AuNps and nano-C60 for thermal RF ablation and imaging hepatocellular