@article{44f3a2dc96f84d8e9e495cb94842286a,
title = "Ultrasound-triggered liposomes encapsulating quantum dots as safe fluorescent markers for colorectal cancer",
abstract = "Quantum dots (QDs) are a promising tool to detect and monitor tumors. However, their small size allows them to accumulate in large quantities inside the healthy cells (in addition to the tumor cells), which increases their toxicity. In this study, we synthesized stealth liposomes encapsulating hydrophilic graphene quantum dots and triggered their release with ultrasound with the goal of developing a safer and well-controlled modality to deliver fluorescent markers to tumors. Our results confirmed the successful encapsulation of the QDs inside the core of the liposomes and showed no effect on the size or stability of the prepared liposomes. Our results also showed that low-frequency ultrasound is an effective method to release QDs encapsulated inside the liposomes in a spatially and temporally controlled manner to ensure the effective delivery of QDs to tumors while reducing their systemic toxicity.",
keywords = "Controlled release, Liposomes, Low-frequency ultrasound, Quantum dots",
author = "Awad, {Nahid S.} and Mohamed Haider and Vinod Paul and Alsawaftah, {Nour M.} and Jayalakshmi Jagal and Renu Pasricha and Husseini, {Ghaleb A.}",
note = "Funding Information: Funding: This research was funded by the American University of Sharjah Faculty Research Grants (FRG20-L-48, and eFRG18-BBRCEN-03) to G.A.H, and Sheikh Hamdan Award for Medical Sciences (Grant Number: MRG-57-2019-2020) to G.A.H, Sheikh Hamdan Award for Medical Sciences MRG/18/2020 to G.A.H. University of Sharjah targeted research project funds, 2101110345 to M.H. Funding Information: Acknowledgments: The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the American University of Sharjah Faculty Research Grants, the Al-Jalila Foundation (AJF 2015555), the Al Qasimi Foundation, the Patient{\textquoteright}s Friends Committee-Sharjah, the Biosciences and Bioengineering Research Institute (BBRI18-CEN-11), GCC Co-Fund Program (IRF17-003) the Takamul program (POC-00028-18), the Technology Innovation Pioneer (TIP) Healthcare Awards, Sheikh Hamdan Award for Medical Sciences, the Dana Gas Endowed Chair for Chemical Engineering and the University of Sharjah Targeted Research Grant for Research Centers, Groups and Laboratories (2101110345). We also would like to acknowledge student funding from the Material Science and Engineering Ph.D. program at AUS. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.",
year = "2021",
month = dec,
doi = "10.3390/pharmaceutics13122073",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "13",
journal = "Pharmaceutics",
issn = "1999-4923",
publisher = "Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)",
number = "12",
}