Iron oxide nanowires produced by bacteria (Mariprofundus ferrooxydans) are demonstrated as new multifunctional drug carriers for triggered therapeutics release and cancer hyperthmia applications. Iron oxide nanowires are obtained from biofilm waste in the bore system used to pump saline groundwater into the River Murray, South Australia (Australia) and processed into individual nanowires with extensive magnetic properties. The drug carrier capabilities of these iron oxide nanowires (Bac-FeOxNWs) are assessed by loading anticancer drug (doxorubicin, Dox) followed by measuring its elution under sustained and triggered release conditions using alternating magnetic field (AMF). The cytotoxicity of Bac-FeOxNWs assessed in 2D (96 well plate) and 3D (Matrigel) cell cultures using MDA-MB231-TXSA human breast cancer cells and mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage cells shows that these Bac-FeOxNWs are biocompatible even at concentrations as high as 250 μg/mL after 24 h of incubation. Finally, we demonstrate the capabilities of Bac-FeOxNWs as potential hyperthermia agent in 3D culture setup. Application of AMF increased the local temperature by 14 °C resulting in approximately 34% decrease in cell viability. Our results demonstrate that these naturally produced nanowires in the form of biofilm can efficiently act as drug carriers with triggered payload release and magnetothermal heating features for potential anticancer therapeutics applications.
Biofilm, generated by the bacteria in the groundwater pumping system pipelines of the Salt Interception Scheme on the River Murray in South Australia is discarded as a waste material accumulated after periodic cleaning of the pipes. Structural and chemical composition characterizations confirm that this waste material is composed of amorphous twisted iron-oxide nanowires (ION), generated by bacteria, and they have a unique structure and properties. The adsorption performance of these iron-oxide nanowires for arsenic removal from water was evaluated to define their adsorption capacity for As(III) andAs(V) and kinetics. Obtained results demonstrate considerable adsorption properties of this waste biological material and suggest its promising application as a new and low-cost adsorbent for water treatment.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.