DNA engineered magnetically tuned cobalt ferrite for hyperthermia application

Abstract In this work, we report that tuning of magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (CFMNPs) is possible by combining them with some suitable organic molecules like DNA for hyperthermia therapy. Different batches of CFMNPs were synthesized on DNA scaffold (with varying the DNA concentrations for different batches) by wet chemical co-precipitation method. Final product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) for biological samples, Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) etc. From XRD data it was confirmed that the above mentioned nanoparticles are cobalt ferrite in pure phase and from FT-IR, SEM and TEM analyses, it was observed that cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were properly attached with DNA. Changes in magnetic properties with change of DNA amount for different batches were investigated by SQUID magnetometer. Heating ability under alternating current (AC) magnetic field for different batches of particles was investigated. It was observed that heating property was changing with change in DNA concentration. So it can be concluded that we have synthesized particles where DNA plays a very important role in tuning the magnetic properties which may give us opportunity to customize the particles for hyperthermia therapy.