Nano-Science Center > Research > CPNN

Advances in design and engineering of nanoscale delivery systems with distinct physical and biochemical properties are beginning to positively impact clinical practice at many levels. These include disease diagnosis and imaging, detection of molecular changes responsible for disease pathogenesis and site-specific targeting of therapeutic agents with triggered-release mechanisms. Indeed, research into targeting of pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and diagnostic agents via intravenous and interstitial routes of administration with multifunctional nanoparticulate entities and nanoconstructs is at the forefront of projects in nanomedicine, but the biological performance of such nanosystems still requires optimization as well as reducing their toxicity at and off target sites. The underlying processes of toxicity are complex, multifaceted and have had limited investigations at intracellular environments. At CPNN we are unravelling the molecular basis of nanomaterial performance and toxicity through “structure-activity” assessments at membrane, organelle, cellular (single cell) and animal level in combination with and by improving/optimizing the performance of the state-of-the-art bio-nanotechnology techniques. This integrated and multidisciplinary approach is expected to improve therapeutic benefit-to-risk ratio applicable to a wide range of clinical situations to include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, inflammatory conditions and immune disorders. CPNN also intend to provide “bench-mark protocols” for toxicity evaluation of nanomedicines in animals, and at cellular and molecular levels, as the sensitivity and precision of the standard toxicological procedures are of arguable value in nanomedicine research and development as it is limited to spotting extreme toxicity.

Today the Centre has a critical mass of academic and industrial expertise as well as world-class facilities, thus reinforcing competitiveness at international level. CPNN is truly international; this is further reflected through collaborations with centres of excellence world-wide including those in USA, Switzerland, EU and China. This multi-collaborative, interdisciplinary and innovative nanoscience and molecular toxicology approaches to nanomedicine research will advance broad societal goals, from improved understanding of the material behaviour at molecular level to increased productivity through rational design and responsible nanomanufacturing. We envisage that our success would help the transformation of National and European biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries towards a knowledge-intensive, globally competitive one. In addition, the safe use of nanoparticulate delivery systems will also give Denmark and EU significant savings in pharmaceutical spending, which continue to grow. Ultimately, this will expand the market for many therapeutic agents and forming the basis for a highly profitable niche for such industries.

We welcome many forms of collaboration with industry and can assist with design and engineering of safer nanomaterials and nanoparticles as well as state-of-the-art performance and toxicity tests, thus adding value to your company. We, therefore, invite you to contact us for discussing collaborative research projects and look forward to welcoming you as partners.