Author

Date of Award

8-20-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Systems Engineering

First Advisor

Alexandru Biris

Abstract

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are radicals of great concern to biologists. Their role in several diseases--such as neurodegenerative disease, diabetes, premature aging and cancer--has been intensively investigated during the last decade. Since a major focus in cancer research is to better understand how it is induced and therefore how it can be cured, the study of the cytotoxic effects of ROS production within cancer cells is vital. Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science that promises great improvements in a number of disciplines. Nano medicine is one of its daughter fields. Various nanomaterials are used for diagnosis and disease detection, therapy and medical imaging, and many are already being used in oncology medicine. The two most frequently used nanomaterials in cancer research are Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). They have been proven to play a significant role in the ROS production of various cancer cells. In this context, this thesis emphasizes the need to study the impact of nanoparticles, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and their complexes, on a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). To date, there have been very few studies assessing the effect on the oxidative stress activity of this cell line using these nanoparticles and their complexes.

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