Novel nanomaterials and hybrid soft contact lens for removing fluorouracil from the tear of cancer patients

2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K09469
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Ding Wuxiao 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 材料・化学領域, 主任研究員 (90598757)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: Hybrid hydrogel / Nanotube / Contact lens

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

From 2019/12/01 to 2020/11/30, I was appointed to the International Collaboration Office of my institute. Therefore, the research was almost stopped in the last fiscal year.
I restarted the research from 2020/12/01.
Within the limited time, a hybrid hydrogel was constructed from the PEG polymer and crosslinkable nanotube. The inclusion of nanotube significantly increased the mechanical strength and controlled release property of PEG hydrogel. The nanotube-hybrid hydrogel may have potential application for contact lens. The research result will be published in 2021 fiscal year.
Further, biodegradable supramolecular nanotube tailored for in vivo drug delivery is also under development. We will publish the result of a physiological-responsive nanotube very soon, and will also apply for the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research（Ｂ）in 2021 fiscal year.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The research for the 5-FU adsorption using melamine nanoparticles or melamine-modified nanotubes did not achieve much progress, because of my job movement in the last fiscal year.

However, related researches such as nanotube-hybrid hydrogel and physiological-responsive nanotube progressed smoothly, with their results to be published very soon.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

We will extend the nanotube-hybrid hydrogel into contact lens applications.

A series of physiological-responsive nanotubes, including ROS-responsive and reduction-responsive, will be developed for the drug delivery application.

Causes of Carryover

Dur to my job movement to the International Collaboration Office from 2019/12/01 to 2020/11/30, the research was actually suspended in the first half of 2020 fiscal year.
Further, the COVID-19 pandemic have also prevented the participation of international symposium that has been planned in the last fiscal year.