Project: Functionalized Carbon Nano-Onion for Therapeutic Delivery Across Biophysical Barriers in Glioblastoma

Modulation Of carbon Nanoparticles for pAncReatic Cancer tHerapy (MONARCH).

This project is looking at developing functionalised carbon nano‑onions that can cross both biological and mechanical barriers in glioblastoma, offering a new strategy to deliver therapies into one of the brain’s most resistant tumour environments.

Challenge Space

Health Resistance

Prinicipal Investigator(s) and team names

Professor Silvia Giordani (PI), Assoc. Prof. Meenal Datta (PI, from ND), Dr. Wanting Zhang (postdoc)

Collaborating Institutions

Funding support

Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health in University of Notre Dame and Life Sciences Institute in DCU

Project start date

1 October, 2026

End date

30 September, 2027

Problem

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most lethal and aggressive primary brain malignancy.

The delivery of effective therapeutic agents to the tumour site is severely prevented not only by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), but also by the physical solid stress generated within the tumour microenvironment.

While the biological mechanisms of tumour growth and treatment efficacy is widely studied, the role of mechanical compression remained poorly understood in drug resistance.

Background

The TIME Lab at the University of Notre Dame has pioneered sophisticated in vitro compression organoid models designed to precisely mimic physiological solid stresses.

Concurrently, the Giordani Group at DCU specializes in functionalized Carbon Nano-Onions (CNOs), these ultra-small (~5 nm) nanostructures offer flexible surface functionalization and excellent biocompatibility, as extensively proven across both in vitro and in vivo models.

Solution

This project addresses this research gap by combining the promising bio-functionalized CNOs platform from Giordani group with Notre Dame’s specialized mechanobiological testing models.

By evaluating engineered CNO diffusion dynamics under solid stress conditions, this collaboration establishes a predictive framework to overcome physical transport barriers in glioblastoma therapy.