title: Programming cancer through phase-functionalized silicon based biomaterials.
abstract: Applications of biomaterials in cancer therapy has been limited to drug delivery systems and markers in radiation therapy. In this article, we introduce the concept of phase-functionalization of silicon to preferentially select cancer cell populations for survival in a catalyst and additive free approach. Silicon is phase-functionalized by the interaction of ultrafast laser pulses, resulting in the formation of rare phases of SiO2 in conjunction with differing silicon crystal lattices. The degree of phase-functionalization is programmed to dictate the degree of repulsion of cancer cells. Unstable phases of silicon oxides are synthesized during phase-functionalization and remain stable at ambient conditions. This change in phase of silicon as well as formation of oxides contributes to changes in surface chemistry as well as surface energy. These material properties elicit in precise control of migration, cytoskeleton shape, direction and population. To the best of our knowledge, phase-functionalized silicon without any changes in topology or additive layers and its applications in cancer therapy has not been reported before. This unique programmable phase-functionalized silicon has the potential to change current trends in cancer research and generate focus on biomaterials as cancer repelling or potentially cancer killing surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto M5B2K3.
authors.forename: Priyatha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Premnath
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto M5B2K3.
authors.forename: Krishnan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Venkatakrishnan
authors.affiliation: Department of Aerospace Engineering, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto M5B2K3.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D011554:Pseudopodia; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012825:Silicon