dr. Zahra Kayani (PhD)

My research focuses on developing innovative nanotechnology-based solutions to improve the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors, a significant challenge in cancer therapy due to the difficulty of delivering drugs across the blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barriers. I am working on targeted delivery systems using gold nanoclusters (BSA-AuNCs) conjugated with single-domain antibodies (VHHs) against FOLR1, a receptor overexpressed in certain cancer cells. These nanoclusters not only facilitate precise delivery of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin but also serve as fluorescent imaging agents, enabling real-time tracking and monitoring of the therapy.
This dual-function nanosystem combines therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities, addressing the pressing need for more effective and less invasive cancer treatments. My work extends beyond this application, as I also explore protein-based nanoparticles, sonodynamics, and the use of proton and X-ray irradiation with gold-based nanocomposites to enhance therapeutic efficacy.
By bridging molecular targeting, nanotechnology, and imaging, my research contributes to the broader field of multidisciplinary cancer research. It offers new insights into overcoming barriers in drug delivery while providing tools for personalized and precise cancer treatment. Ultimately, this work aims to improve patient outcomes, reduce side effects, and contribute to the development of advanced, targeted therapies that are beneficial not only for researchers in oncology but also for healthcare providers and society as a whole.
 

I am researcher with a strong background in nanotechnology and cancer research. My academic journey has been marked by a focus on developing innovative approaches to cancer diagnostics and therapy, particularly for challenging conditions such as brain tumors. I have held a postdoctoral position funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant, where I explored targeted drug delivery systems using single-domain antibodies (VHHs) conjugated with gold nanoclusters for precision cancer treatment and imaging.
My previous research has encompassed a range of advanced techniques, including the development of protein-based nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, and gold-based nanocomposites for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. I have also investigated the effects of proton and X-ray irradiation, as well as sonodynamic therapy, to enhance the efficacy of these nanostructures.
In addition to my research, I have contributed to the scientific community as an author of numerous publications in high-impact journals, focusing on innovative cancer treatments. I am passionate about fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing translational cancer research to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and clinical applications, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
 

• "Novel folic acid-conjugated doxorubicin loaded β-lactoglobulin nanoparticles induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells". Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2018. (PMID: 30257407)
• "Doughnut-shaped bovine serum albumin nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin for overcoming multidrug resistance in cancer cells". International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2018. (PMID: 29030194)
• "Curcumin-gold-polyethylene glycol nanoparticles as a nanosensitizer for photothermal and sonodynamic therapies: In vitro and animal model studies". Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, 2021. (PMID: 33310015)
• "Combating cancer by utilizing noble metallic nanostructures in combination with laser photothermal and X-ray radiotherapy". Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 2021. (PMID: 352919902)
• "Fractionated sonodynamic therapy using Gold@Poly(ortho-aminophenol) nanoparticles and multistep low-intensity ultrasound irradiation to treat melanoma cancer: In vitro and in vivo studies". Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, 2023. (PMID: 36849267)
• "Synchronized chemotherapy/photothermal therapy/sonodynamic therapy of human triple-negative and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells using a doxorubicin–gold nanosystem". Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, 2024. (PMID: 38538442)
• "Photosensitizing activity of nanoparticles of poly(2-amino phenol)/gold for intensified doxorubicin therapeutic effect on melanoma cancer cells under synergism effect of 808 nm laser irradiation". Journal of Biomedical Physics and Engineering, 2024. (PMID: 50038)
• "Porphyrin-coated gold nanoparticles associated with ionizing radiation in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer". Optical Methods for Tumor Treatment and Detection: Mechanisms and Techniques, 2024. (PMID: 3000990)
  "Long chain alkyl esters of hydroxycinnamic acids as promising anticancer agents: Selective induction of apoptosis in cancer cells". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2017. (PMID: 28718636)
• "Imidazopyridine hydrazone derivatives exert antiproliferative effects on lung and pancreatic cancer cells and potentially inhibit receptor tyrosine kinases including c-Met". Scientific Reports, 2021. (PMID: 33833467)
   

• Lab address: Vandenbroucke Lab, Barriers in Inflammation Lab, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
• Vandenbroucke Lab 
• The VIB Center for Inflammation Research (IRC) 
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