Innovative bioglass research at KSU offers hope for treating Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases, paving the way for new medical breakthroughs.
Imagine if glass could heal. What if the window glass was slightly modified to create a material to potentially treat Alzheimer’s, cancer, or diabetes? It turns out, that’s not so far-fetched. Researchers at Kennesaw State University (KSU) are working with a special type of glass—bioglass—that’s showing promise in creating and delivering nanoparticles with powerful therapeutic benefits to regenerate cells.
For KSU junior Emily Manqueros, this research is more than just a project, it’s a passion. Emily knew she wanted to do physics research before she even applied to universities. Classes in astronomy and physics taught her how physical forces impact everything around her, and she wanted a chance to immerse herself in real-world scenarios. Now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physics at Kennesaw State’s College of Science and Mathematics, she has been able to conduct research since her freshman year.
“Honestly, the research opportunities drew me to KSU,” Manqueros said. “Other colleges mainly take graduate students for their research, and I knew that at KSU I could do meaningful research even if I was an undergraduate student.”
That desire for meaningful research led her to Kisa Ranasinghe, Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Physics. Ranasinghe gave a talk at an early-semester meeting for physics majors on her research in creating bioactive glass that can transport nanoparticles to treat various ailments. Afterward, Manqueros approached Ranasinghe to learn more about it and express her interest.
“When someone stops me to say they’re interested in my research and want to learn more, that’s an indicator, right?” Ranasinghe said. “For a freshman to take that initiative and show that amount of enthusiasm is truly impressive. Very quickly I found out she has great potential.”
From that day forward, Manqueros poured herself into the life-altering research: bioglass. The first part of explaining her research involves demystifying the idea of glass in the body.
“A lot of times when we say we’re doing research on glass that we can put into your body, people freak out because they imagine the glass breaking—it’s not like that,” she explained.
Bioglass isn’t really glass, but a conduit. Bioglass has inherent properties that may support cell growth and regeneration. By incorporating cerium oxide nanoparticles within bioglass, it can interact with the biological environment to offer therapeutic benefits. This antioxidant activity holds promise in addressing major challenges like Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, and various physical and neurodegenerative diseases.
“The simple fact that we work with glass to better people’s health—that’s something that I really want to get across to people,” Manqueros said. “What we do from the physics point of view is study those nanoparticles and how they interact within the glass.”
As a Birla Carbon Scholar this summer, Manqueros explored these issues. She has been the lead author of an abstract for a poster presentation that was published earlier this year in the Georgia Journal of Science. In March 2024, she received first prize for her undergraduate oral presentation in the Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering division at the Georgia Academy of Science conference.
Ranasinghe spoke highly of Manqueros’ future being filled with wide-open opportunities. Manqueros sees the future involving more physics, either a master’s degree or doctorate, while continuing research in bioglass. Life-changing research with societal impact will be her No. 1 goal.
“I actually enjoy what I do,” she said. “Oftentimes, when you’re doing work as a physicist, people don’t see the meaning in what you do because they wonder why we need to study this. This research is impacting anyone who has some sort of disease or wants to improve their health or their body. I like that I have a direct impact on people’s lives through the research that I do here at KSU.”
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