Surface Functionalisation of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Biomedical Applications
type: CreativeWork
description: Cancer and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are two of the most significant healthcare-related challenges worldwide. The shortcomings of current cancer treatment methods, combined with the exponential increase of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, underscore the need for new drug delivery systems that can overcome these challenges. In this context, nanoparticle-based systems have gained attention, with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) standing out as promising nanocarriers due to their high porosity, controlled drug release, and easily functionalisable external surface. This thesis describes the use of MOFs for several biomedical applications. First, the synthesis procedures for different nanoMOFs were optimised based on the coordination modulation method by studying the effect of reaction time, amount of modulator, and different metal-tolinker ratios on the particle size and crystallinity of the MOFs. By following this approach, three porous and biocompatible MOFs–PCN-222, Zr-fumarate, and MIL-173–were synthesised with high crystallinity and purity. Additionally, a new crystal structure named Mg(bpgal)2 was discovered, which is based on Mg-gallate MOF but features an extended linker to enhance its pore size and surface area. Among all the MOFs synthesised PCN-222 was deemed as the most promising material for drug delivery applications due to its high pore size, BET surface area, and particle size. PCN-222 was then coated with three different phospholipids—1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC)—to enhance its internalisation in cancer cells. The coated MOFs underwent a full physicochemical characterisation using powder X-ray diffraction, various microscopy techniques, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential, among others. These systems were evaluated in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells as a proof-of-concept cell line, demonstrating significant biocom…
abstract: Cancer and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are two of the most significant healthcare-related challenges worldwide. The shortcomings of current cancer treatment methods, combined with the exponential increase of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, underscore the need for new drug delivery systems that can overcome these challenges. In this context, nanoparticle-based systems have gained attention, with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) standing out as promising nanocarriers due to their high porosity, controlled drug release, and easily functionalisable external surface. This thesis describes the use of MOFs for several biomedical applications. First, the synthesis procedures for different nanoMOFs were optimised based on the coordination modulation method by studying the effect of reaction time, amount of modulator, and different metal-tolinker ratios on the particle size and crystallinity of the MOFs. By following this approach, three porous and biocompatible MOFs–PCN-222, Zr-fumarate, and MIL-173–were synthesised with high crystallinity and purity. Additionally, a new crystal structure named Mg(bpgal)2 was discovered, which is based on Mg-gallate MOF but features an extended linker to enhance its pore size and surface area. Among all the MOFs synthesised PCN-222 was deemed as the most promising material for drug delivery applications due to its high pore size, BET surface area, and particle size. PCN-222 was then coated with three different phospholipids—1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC)—to enhance its internalisation in cancer cells. The coated MOFs underwent a full physicochemical characterisation using powder X-ray diffraction, various microscopy techniques, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential, among others. These systems were evaluated in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells as a proof-of-concept cell line, demonstrating significant biocom…
author: Ostolaza Paraiso, Jon
language: eng
keywords: antimicrobial resistance, cancer treatment, Metal-organic frameworks, MOFs, nanotechnology, surface functionalisation
license: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/80fe59d3-17e7-4ce5-a470-162f1f689e5f/download
license: http://purl.org/NET/rdflicense/allrightsreserved
date published: 2024-08-25
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:23:57Z
provider: Cambridge University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Cambridge

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.17863/CAM.117111