Carolina Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
University of North Carolina CCNE

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This Center arises from a growing convergence of research in the physical, biological, and translational sciences, nurtured at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and organized by the university's NCI-designated Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Outstanding chemists, physicists, and engineers have collaborated with superb cancer researchers to exploit the remarkable opportunities afforded by current nanoscience.

Center Investigators

Rudolph Juliano, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator

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The major goal of this Center is the design and fabrication of novel and innovative nanodevices with subsequent evaluation using informative biological models, particularly sophisticated mouse models of human cancer. This focus allows rapid translation to novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to cancer. While several nanotechnologies are represented, the overarching research theme of this CCNE is “smart” nanoparticles, a focus based on a powerful new approach to nanoparticle fabrication recently developed at the UNC Chemistry Department. This novel nanofabrication technology is linked to local expertise in peptide and aptamer combinatorial library screening to generate nanoparticles capable of selective binding to surface receptors on tumor cells or endothelial cells, facilitating both imaging and therapy. In addition to nanoparticles, this proposal encompasses other novel and exciting technologies, including carbon nanotube-based X-ray sources, a nanofluidics flow cytometer, nanopatterned surfaces with unique chemical and optical properties, and magnetic nanoparticles for imaging and therapy.

Substantial university investment in material sciences and imaging (over 20 new faculty positions) will continue the growth of this program over the next five years. UNC's Breast and GI SPOREs and two NCI Mouse Model Consortium grants also strengthen the interactive and translational nature of the CCNE. The proposed Projects and the nanotechnologies to be tested have the potential to impact basic, translational, and clinical research leading to improved early detection and therapy of cancer.