Solid phase ionic (nano)materials (Gumbos and NanoGumbos) are promising tools in fields of chemistry and medicine, following the significant developments on ionic liquids knowledge. They combine the physical advantages of nanomaterials with the high chemical versatility found in ionic liquids. NanoGUMBOS may keep the original properties already found in their parent materials, Gumbos, and can also provide new and improved characteristics to other molecules. The research on the NanoGumbos evidenced the possibility of preparing task specific nanomaterials with tunable properties valuable for analytical applications.
With this project it is aimed the evaluation of the potential of novel NanoGumbos designed and developed for a specific purpose, while guaranteeing their safe nature. NanoGumbos, made of unique combinations of cations and anions, gathering multiple properties, will be explored as sensing materials and sensitivity enhancers, alone or in combination with carbon dots as well as in hybrid systems with the MOFs concept.
Biomarkers of wound infections will be the targets of the trials. The interaction of nanoGumbos with functional biomolecules will provide a plataform, integrated in microfluidic format, in bench-top automated systems or point care devices.
The work plan then includes the modulated synthesis, characterization and in vitro toxicity evaluation of the nanomaterials to examine which properties contribute to their stability, tunability and biocompatibility; as well as the study of their applicability in protein/enzymes evaluation methodologies.
Green chemistry principles will be also privileged in all possible tasks with flow chemistry and automation.
The goal is to offer a sustainable generic technology, a battery of cost-effective easy-to-use products based on NanoGumbos assays, a key tool for rapid screening of wound biomarkers for monitoring of the infection status.It is expected that the in vitro screening tests developed and the knowhow emerged in the field of NPs proposed contribute to promote research leading to "safer medicines faster" with minimal environmental impact.