Abstract:

Quantum dots are promising optical imaging agents which may be rendered as theranostic materials. Despite of all the advancements in the field, there is still an urgent need for the development of non-toxic QDs emitting in the near-infrared (NIR) for medical use. Stability, size, delivery to target tissues are also critical issues in successful applications of QDs. Ag2S quantum dots are probably the most promising Cd or Pb-free QD with emission in the NIR. I will be talking about their synthesis, potential as optical imaging agents and potential as theranostics. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are the most well known nanoparticles in the medical field. They are known as MRI contrast agents in the clinic, yet there is a great push towards its exploitation as a theranostic nanomaterial. I will also give examples to their use in therapy and also talk about the potentials of hybrid structures composed of SPIONS and QDs.

Short Biography of the Speaker:

Dr. Yağcı Acar is an Associate Professor in the Chemistry Department at Koç University and the head of “Polymers and Nanomaterials Research Laboratory” and “Koc University-Opet Nanomaterials Research Laboratory (KUNAL)”. Her research focuses on the development of nanoparticles (SPIONs, quantum dots, gold NPs and hybrids) with tailored properties for a variety of applications for biotechnology, medicine, security, and energy applications. She also works on photopolymerization and controlled living FRP reactions for the development of nanocomposites. She is a co-founder of Kuantag A.Ş. She received National L’Oreal Women in Science Reward in Materials Science in 2005 and Elginkan technology reward in 2016.

She received her B.S and M.S. degrees in Chemistry from Bogazici University and Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from University of Southern Mississippi (1999). She worked at GE GRC-Niskayuna between 2000-2004 until she has joined Koc University in September 2004.