News
CNG research in the spotlight
April 2025
Two of CNG’s research articles have been ranked among the top 10% most-viewed articles published by Wiley journals in 2023.
The first CNG article entitled ‘Direct Assembly of Metal‐Phenolic Network Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications’, which was published in Angewandte Chemie in Oct 2023, presents a simple and versatile strategy for assembling metal–organic networks into nanoparticles without the use of templating agents, seeding agents, or harsh synthesis conditions. The strategy affords a library of metal–phenolic nanoparticles with tuneable physiochemical properties (e.g., sizes ranging from 50 to 270 nm) simply by adjusting the synthesis conditions (e.g., assembly pH, reaction time, precursor ratio, and concentration). Various functional cargoes can also be incorporated to impact the nanoparticles with biofunctionality for potential use in various biomedical applications, including cell targeting and drug delivery. This study expands the realm of the field of metal–phenolic networks and is expected to provide a guideline for the rational assembly of other highly biocompatible metal–organic nanoparticle systems.
The second CNG article entitled ‘Engineering Antimicrobial Metal–Phenolic Network Nanoparticles with High Biocompatibility for Wound Healing’ was published in Advanced Materials in Nov 2023. This work presents a simple strategy to synthesize highly biocompatible antimicrobial metal‒phenolic network nanoparticles via a one-step assembly process. The engineered nanoparticles exhibit negligible toxicity, and antimicrobial performance against drug-resistant bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, the Cu2+-based antimicrobial metal–phenolic network nanoparticles display lower Cu2+ antimicrobial concentrations (by 10–1000 times) lower than most reported nanomaterials to date. The antimicrobial mechanism of the engineered nanoparticles was also investigated and identified. The excellent antimicrobial efficacy, low toxicity, and facile synthesis of the antimicrobial metal–phenolic network nanoparticles make them potentially promising for clinical applications. Notably, all components used for the nanoparticle synthesis are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for food and medicine formulations, indicating their safety and potential for clinical translation.
CNG postdoc Dr Qingqing Fan awarded a CBE Acceleration Grant
April 2025
Congratulations to CNG postdoc Dr Qingqing Fan on being awarded an Acceleration Grant from the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (CBE), The University of Melbourne.
Qingqing’s project aims to develop next-generation nanocarriers with precise placental targeting, providing a platform for therapeutic intervention in pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. The research will be conducted in collaboration with Prof. Natalie Hannan's team from the School of Medicine. Preeclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy complication, causing >76,000 maternal and >500,000 neonatal annual deaths globally. There are currently no therapies that target the underlying pathophysiology of preeclampsia, highlighting the urgent need for new treatments that target the placenta, which Qingqing’s project aims to contribute to. The project outcomes are expected to advance therapeutic therapies toward maternal/fetal health.
In line with the School’s ongoing commitment to fostering research excellence at the University, the CBE Accelerate Grant Scheme is designed to support early career researchers in advancing their research, engagement, and impact.
CNG team secures funding for mRNA delivery research
March 2025
Congratulations to CNG team on securing funding for mRNA delivery research with international collaborator Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). Prof. Frank Caruso and CNG postdoc Dr Omid Mazaheri will work alongside researchers at KIGAM to develop nanoclay-based materials for oral mRNA delivery applications.
KIGAM is a world-class R&D organization that explores geological resources to lead innovative geo-science and technology solutions in addressing global challenges.
CNG article in Nano Letters highlighted on front cover
February 2025
A collaborative article has been highlighted on the front cover of Nano Letters. This article entitled “Regulation of Cell–Nanoparticle Interactions through Mechanobiology” examines the molecular and cellular mechanobiology parameters that govern the interactions between cells and nanoparticles. Specifically, the study focuses on the role of the yes-associated protein (YAP), which is a mechanically activated transcriptional effector of the Hippo pathway, on determining the fate of cell–nanoparticle interactions. The findings show that the inhibition of YAP may be leveraged to optimize cell–nanoparticle interactions, thereby promoting the delivery of nanomedicines and improving therapeutic efficiency. The study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of cell mechanobiology pathways involved in bio–nano interactions in developing next-generation nanotherapies.