1. The Synthesis and Use of
Gelatin Functionalized
Graphene Oxide for
Simultaneous Chemical and
Photothermal Cancer Therapy
Guy Blanc, Aaron Lucander, Praruj Pant
2. Research Purpose
To determine the effectiveness of
functionalized graphene oxide
nanocarriers in simultaneous chemical
and photothermal cancer therapy.
3. Goals
• To synthesize gelatin-functionalized
graphene oxide (gelatin-GO).
• To test the efficiency of gelatin-GO in
photothermal therapy.
• To test the efficacy of gelatin-GO as a
drug delivery agent.
4. Background
• Chemotherapy, fighting cancer using drugs, and photothermal therapy,
fighting cancer using heat, have been used simultaneously to treat
tumors. This is very effective because the heat makes cancer cells more
susceptible to drugs; however, with current methods, the drugs released
and heat are not concentrated at the same points.
• Prior research shows that
o Because of its large surface areas and photothermal capabilities,
graphene oxide has great potential in chemotherapy and
photothermal therapy.
o Gelatin-functionalized graphene nanosheets are effective
nanocarriers because of their high drug loading capacity and
biocompatibility.
5. Graphite Oxide Synthesis
Method
● We preoxidized graphite flakes by mixing graphite
flakes, K2S2O8, and P2O5 in sulfuric acid. We then
filtered out the graphite flakes and dried them in an
oven overnight.
● We then placed the preoxidized flakes in KMnO4 and
H2SO4, stirred, and added H2O2. When the H2O2 was
added, the mixture turned bright yellow, indicating
that graphite oxide had been successfully synthesized
(demonstrated in prior literature)
6. ● We then sonicated and centrifuged the graphite oxide
to form graphene oxide.
● Gelatin was added to water at 90oC to form an
aqueous gelatin solution and then graphene oxide was
added. The solution was stirred overnight.
● The resulting mixture was filtered by repeatedly
centrifuging and washing until concentrated gelatin-
GO was left.
Gelatin-GO Synthesis Method
7. Photothermal Data Collection
● Water and gelatin-GO were placed
in separate vials and irradiated
with a low-voltage 808 nm laser
for the same time. The change in
temperature of each sample was
recorded.
● The procedure was repeated 3
times for each sample type, and
the average of these trials is shown
in the graph to the right.
8. Photothermal Data Results
The Gelatin-GO sample
heated up over three
times as much as water
over an average of
three trials
9. Drug Delivery Data Collection
• The dye rhodamine, representing a drug, was
loaded onto Gelatin-GO particles
• The rhodamine-loaded gelatin-GO was placed
into water.
• The fluorescence of the sample was
measured at multiple time intervals to model
how well gelatin-GO released chemicals.
10. The gelatin-GO
solution loaded with
rhodamine released
rhodamine over
time, indicated by
the increased
fluorescence at
570nm
Drug Delivery Data Results
11. Discussion of Results
• The average temperature increase of the aqueous solutions
of gelatin-GO was 8.5oC while that of the deionized water
samples was only 2.8oC.
• We need only increase the overall temperature of a sample
by a fraction of a degree Celsius to increase the
temperatures of the individual gelatin-GO particles enough
to fight the tumor cells.
• Our research shows that we could use an even less powerful
laser to sufficiently heat gelatin-GO particles for
photothermal therapy, reducing side effects.
12. • The rhodamine, representing a drug in our drug delivery
tests, fluoresces at 570 nm.
• After 24 hours, the water sample with rhodamine-loaded
gelatin-GO particles showed significant increase in
fluorescence at 570 nm
• Release of rhodamine by gelatin-GO shows that gelatin-GO
particles can be used to deliver drugs
Discussion of Results
13. Conclusion
What we have done:
• Successfully Synthesized gelatin-GO
• Affirmed that gelatin-GO will heat up under
808nm radiation, making it an effective for
photothermal therapy
• Affirmed that drugs loaded onto gelatin-GO will be
released in water (as modeled by rhodamine
release)
14. Synthesize polyethylene glycol- functionalized graphene
oxide (PEG-GO) and compare its release rate and
photothermal absorbance to those of gelatin-GO.
Future Research:
• Load actual cancer drugs onto gelatin-GO and PEG-GO.
• Quantitatively measure and control drug release rates
and GO particle heating for use in actual tumor
therapy
• Apply nanocarriers to in vivo cancer therapy.
Our Next Step
15. We would like to thank the NCSSM
Research in Chemistry instructor, Dr.
Myra Halpin
Acknowledgements
