Entry of nanoparticles into cells

Tore-Geir Iversen

Research on nanoparticles have evolved into biological applications with large expectations for the use of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and fluorescent Quantum dots in different imaging techniques both for tumor targeting and drug delivery in humans and as probes at the cellular level. In this research project we addresses several questions concerning the fate of these nanoparticles after binding to the cells that need to be answered in connection with their use in cell biological studies and certainly before applying them in humans: To which extent are they internalized? Can they be recycled out again, or are they degraded by the cell? If they accumulate in the cells, to which extent do they disturb trafficking of natural ligands, and do they have a cytotoxic effect? An important question is whether the answer to the questions above is dependent on the type and size of the nanoparticles.

Thus, this project aims at gaining more knowledge about the endocytic mechanisms and intracellular pathways followed by various nanoparticles in cells, and the role of size and composition of nanoparticles for the compartments reached and for clearance from the cells.

Coworkers:

  Anne Grete Gargul

Contact information:
Email: Tore-Geir.Iversen@rr-research.no
Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Cancer Research
The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0310 Oslo, Norway
Phone +47 22 78 18 26 (Iversen), Switchboard: +47 22 93 40 00