Dr Yimin Chao
Reader in Nanosciences
Yimin’s research focuses on the development of nanoscale therapeutic agents that can be employed to provide a safer, time efficient, more direct route to identification, diagnosis and treatment of cancer as well as a whole host of other diseases. The functionalization of silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) with ligands that exhibit anti-cancerous properties holds several advantages versus traditional therapy. The various functionalized SiQDs are being used in the following studies as examples:
- Amine capped nanoparticles for biomedical imaging in HepG2 cells;
- Co-encapsulation of biodegradable nanoparticles with silicon quantum dots and quercetin for monitored delivery;
- Carbohydrate capped silicon nanoparticles and their reduced cytotoxicity, in vivo toxicity, and cellular uptake
- Diagnostic silicon nanoparticles for targeted delivery of thiourea to epidermal growth factor receptor-expressing cancer cells
- Isothiocyanate functionalized silicon nanoparticles and their uptake in cultured colonic cells