Research Fellow
BSc(Delhi) MTech(Amity) PhD (Ulster)
Email dhiraj.kumar@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 21 136 6492
Dr Dhiraj Kumar is a chemist with specialisations in physical chemistry and nanobiotechnology.
Research interests
Dhiraj is interested developing engineered nanomaterials for various biomedical applications.
His current research focus in on surface modification of inorganic and organic nanoparticles for ovarian cancer targeting and MARS spectral imaging.
He is involved in various projects with national and international collaborators.
Projects and funding
Functionalised gold nanoparticles for ovarian cancer targeting and MARS spectral CT imaging,
Funded by: Genesis Oncology Trust 2016 and 2017.
A new cancer diagnostics approach – proof of concept
Funded by: Otago collaborative grant (Otago School of Medicine) 2016.
Publications
Kumar, D., Moghiseh, M., Chitcholtan, K., Mutreja, I., Lowe, C., Kaushik, A., Butler, A., Sykes, P., Anderson, N., & Raja, A. (2023). LHRH conjugated gold nanoparticles assisted efficient ovarian cancer targeting evaluated via spectral photon-counting CT imaging: A proof-of-concept research. Journal of Materials Chemistry B. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1039/d2tb02416k
Alcala-Orozco, C. R., Mutreja, I., Cui, X., Kumar, D., Hooper, G. J., Lim, K. S., & Woodfield, T. B. F. (2020). Design and characterisation of multi-functional strontium-gelatin nanocomposite bioinks with improved print fidelity and osteogenic capacity. Bioprinting, 18, e00073. doi: 10.1016/j.bprint.2019.e00073
Moghiseh, M., Kumar, D., Lewis, J., MARS Collaboration, including Adebileje, S. A., Anderson, N., Asghariomabad, F., Atharifard, A., Bamford, B., Bheesette, S., Butler, A. P. H., Butler, P. H., Dalefield, T., de Ruiter, N. J. A., Gieseg, S. P., Gurney, S., Healy, J. L., Hilton, P. J., Lowe, C., Marfo, E., Panta, R. K., Raja, A. Y., Ramyar, M., Renaud, P., Schleich, N., Searle, E., Sheeja, J. S., … Walsh, M. F. (2018). Cancer imaging with nanoparticles using MARS spectral scanner. Proceedings of the IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference. M-16-03. Retrieved from http://www.nssmic.org/2018
Moghiseh, M., Lowe, C., Lewis, J., Kumar, D., Butler, A., Anderson, N., & Raja, A. (2018). Spectral photon-counting molecular imaging for quantification of monoclonal antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticles targeted to lymphoma and breast cancer: An in vitro study. Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging, 2018, 2136840. doi: 10.1155/2018/2136840
Kumar, D., Mutreja, I., Chitcholtan, K., & Sykes, P. (2017). Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of different sized gold nanoparticles in ovarian cancer cells. Nanotechnology, 28, 475101. doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa935e
Kumar, D., Moghiseh, M., Chitcholtan, K., Mutreja, I., Lowe, C., Kaushik, A., Butler, A., Sykes, P., Anderson, N., & Raja, A. (2023). LHRH conjugated gold nanoparticles assisted efficient ovarian cancer targeting evaluated via spectral photon-counting CT imaging: A proof-of-concept research. Journal of Materials Chemistry B. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1039/d2tb02416k
Journal - Research Article
Alcala-Orozco, C. R., Mutreja, I., Cui, X., Kumar, D., Hooper, G. J., Lim, K. S., & Woodfield, T. B. F. (2020). Design and characterisation of multi-functional strontium-gelatin nanocomposite bioinks with improved print fidelity and osteogenic capacity. Bioprinting, 18, e00073. doi: 10.1016/j.bprint.2019.e00073
Journal - Research Article
Moghiseh, M., Lowe, C., Lewis, J., Kumar, D., Butler, A., Anderson, N., & Raja, A. (2018). Spectral photon-counting molecular imaging for quantification of monoclonal antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticles targeted to lymphoma and breast cancer: An in vitro study. Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging, 2018, 2136840. doi: 10.1155/2018/2136840
Journal - Research Article
Kumar, D., Mutreja, I., Chitcholtan, K., & Sykes, P. (2017). Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of different sized gold nanoparticles in ovarian cancer cells. Nanotechnology, 28, 475101. doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa935e
Journal - Research Article
Kumar, D., Mutreja, I., & Sykes, P. (2016). Seed mediated synthesis of highly mono-dispersed gold nanoparticles in the presence of hydroquinone. Nanotechnology, 27, 355601. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/35/355601
Journal - Research Article
Kumar, D., Mutreja, I., Keshvan, P. C., Bhat, M., Dinda, A. A., & Mitra, S. (2015). Organically modified silica nanoparticles interaction with macrophage cells: Assessment of cell viability on the basis of physicochemical properties. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 104(11), 3943-3951. doi: 10.1002/jps.24614
Journal - Research Article
Kumar, D., Mutreja, I., Meenan, B. J., & Dixon, D. (2013). The profile of payload release from gold nanoparticles modified with a BODIPY®/PEG mixed monolayer. Journal of Nano Research, 25, 16-30. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/JNanoR.25.16
Journal - Research Article
Mutreja, I., Kumar, D., Boyd, A. R., & Meenan, B. J. (2013). Titania nanotube porosity controls dissolution rate of sputter deposited calcium phosphate (CaP) thin film coatings. RSC Advances, 3, 11263. doi: 10.1039/c3ra40898a
Journal - Research Article
Kumar, D., Meenan, B. J., & Dixon, D. (2012). Glutathione-mediated release of Bodipy® from PEG cofunctionalized gold nanoparticles. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 7, 4007-4022. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S33726
Journal - Research Article
Kumar, D., Meenan, B. J., Mutreja, I., D'Sa, R., & Dixon, D. (2012). Controlling the size and size distribution of gold nanoparticles: A design of experiment study. International Journal of Nanoscience, 11, 1250023. doi: 10.1142/S0219581X12500238
Journal - Research Article
Manson, J., Kumar, D., Meenan, B. J., & Dixon, D. (2011). Polyethylene glycol functionalized gold nanoparticles: The influence of capping density on stability in various media. Gold Bulletin, 44(2), 99-105. doi: 10.1007/s13404-011-0015-8
Journal - Research Article
Sivasubramaniam, S., Kumar, D., Golovko, V. B., & Alkaisi, M. M. (2013). Current density enhancement in inverted nanopyramid textured crystalline silicon solar cell using gold nanoparticles. Proceedings of SPIE (Vol. 8923): Micro/Nano Materials, Devices, and Systems. 89232F. doi: 10.1117/12.2033731
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Aw, M. S., Simovic, S., Kumar, D., Addai-Mensah, J., & Losic, D. (2010). The loading and release property of nanoporous anodic alumina for delivery of drugs and drug carriers. Proceedings of the International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICONN). (pp. 143-1415). IEEE. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Moghiseh, M., Kumar, D., Lewis, J., MARS Collaboration, including Adebileje, S. A., Anderson, N., Asghariomabad, F., Atharifard, A., Bamford, B., Bheesette, S., Butler, A. P. H., Butler, P. H., Dalefield, T., de Ruiter, N. J. A., Gieseg, S. P., Gurney, S., Healy, J. L., Hilton, P. J., Lowe, C., Marfo, E., Panta, R. K., Raja, A. Y., Ramyar, M., Renaud, P., Schleich, N., Searle, E., Sheeja, J. S., … Walsh, M. F. (2018). Cancer imaging with nanoparticles using MARS spectral scanner. Proceedings of the IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference. M-16-03. Retrieved from http://www.nssmic.org/2018
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Raja, A. Y., Moghiesh, M., Kumar, D., Sykes, P., Butler, A. P., & Anderson, N. (2017). Effect of size and concentration of gold nanoparticles on spectral CT imaging of cancer cells. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology (AMN8). (pp. 105). Retrieved from http://confer.co.nz/amn8/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract