Chemical synthesis, characterisation of polymers and nano-objects
Objectives
This project is focused on development of functional biomimetic polymers which can traverse across cellular membranes to deliver payloads into the cell interior.
- Synthesis and characterization of pH-responsive, membrane-active polymers.
- Preparation of therapeutic nanoparticles incorporating chemotherapeutic agents or biological molecules.
- Understanding and controlling of the trafficking of polymers into a model cellular system.
- Demonstration and optimization of delivery of payload into the cell interior.
Tasks and methodology
- Characterization of polymer structure and composition by FTIR and NMR; measurement of polymer molecular weight and polydispersity by GPC.
- Appropriate method (e.g. cleavable conjugation, physical complexation or encapsulation) for payload incorporation.
- Appropriate analytical techniques (such as UV-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, DLS, zeta potential analyzer) for investigation into conformational characteristics, size and charge.
- Evaluation of membrane activity using a haemolysis model and/or LDH assay.
- Investigation into intracellular trafficking and delivery efficiency by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry and measurement of cytotoxicity by MTT or Alamar Blue assay.
Details
Specifically, I would like to synthesize hyper-branched pH-responsive poly(L-lysine isophthalamide) and its derivatives (See Scheme below). I believe that the combination of hyper-branched topological structure and pH-responsive metabolite-derived polyamide could generate stimulating materials as a novel drug delivery system. Since hyper-branched poly(L-lysine isophthalamide) (HPLP) and its derivatives have similar architecture as globular protein, they might have excellent biocompatibility and low toxicity. What’s more, HPLP have a great number of amine end groups, which could be easily modified with functional molecules to achieve better solubility as well as targeting effects. With these amine end groups and carboxyl side groups, the pH-responsiveness might be highly adjustable. Furthermore, it’s quite easy to prepare such polymers by one-pot condensation procedure and to purify by simple precipitation. All these advantages make it an ideal drug carrier for biological systems.
Starting date
September 2014
Related research topics
- Influence of a pH-sensitive polymer on the structure of monoolein cubosomes - 05/01/2018
- pH-Responsive, Lysine-Based, Hyperbranched Polymers Mimicking Endosomolytic Cell-Penetrating Peptides for Efficient Intracellular Delivery - 09/05/2017
- Membrane-Anchoring, Comb-Like Pseudopeptides for Efficient, pH-Mediated Membrane Destabilization and Intracellular Delivery - 27/02/2017
