Disrupting Plasmodium UIS3-host LC3 interaction with a small molecule causes parasite elimination from host cells.

The malaria parasite Plasmodium obligatorily infects and replicates inside hepatocytes surrounded by a parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM), which is decorated by the host-cell derived autophagy protein LC3. We have previously shown that the parasite-derived, PVM-resident protein UIS3 sequesters LC3 to avoid parasite elimination by autophagy from hepatocytes. Here we show that a small molecule capable of disrupting this interaction triggers parasite elimination in a host cell autophagy-dependent manner.

Cisplatin-tethered gold nanospheres for multimodal chemo-radiotherapy of glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains the most aggressive and challenging brain tumour to treat. We report the first successful chemo-radiotherapy on patient derived treatment resistant GBM cells using a cisplatin-tethered gold nanosphere. After intracellular uptake, the nanosphere effects DNA damage which initiates caspase-mediated apoptosis in those cells.

Molecular-receptor-specific, non-toxic, near-infrared-emitting Au cluster-protein nanoconjugates for targeted cancer imaging.

Molecular-receptor-targeted imaging of folate receptor positive oral carcinoma cells using folic-acid-conjugated fluorescent Au(25) nanoclusters (Au NCs) is reported. Highly fluorescent Au(25) clusters were synthesized by controlled reduction of Au(+) ions, stabilized in bovine serum albumin (BSA), using a green-chemical reducing agent, ascorbic acid (vitamin-C). For targeted-imaging-based detection of cancer cells, the clusters were conjugated with folic acid (FA) through amide linkage with the BSA shell.

Folate receptor targeted, rare-earth oxide nanocrystals for bi-modal fluorescence and magnetic imaging of cancer cells.

Targeted cancer imaging using rare-earth oxide nanocrystals, free from heavy metals (Cd, Se, Te, Hg and Pb), showing bright red-fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is presented. Y(2)O(3) nanocrystals (YO NC) doped in situ with fluorescent (Eu(3+)) and paramagnetic (Gd(3+)) impurities and conjugated with a potential cancer targeting ligand, folic acid (FA), were prepared using an all-aqueous wet-chemical process. Structural, optical and magnetic properties of these multifunctional nanocrystals were investigated by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, photoluminescence and magnetization studies.

Bio-conjugated luminescent quantum dots of doped ZnS: a cyto-friendly system for targeted cancer imaging.

A heavy-metal-free luminescent quantum dot (QD) based on doped zinc sulfide (ZnS), conjugated with a cancer-targeting ligand, folic acid (FA), is presented as a promising bio-friendly system for targeted cancer imaging. Doped QDs were prepared by a simple aqueous method at room temperature. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies showed the formation of monodisperse QDs of average size approximately 4 nm with cubic (sphalerite) crystal structure.