Polymeric vesicles with topologically controlled functionalities
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
We present here an example of nature-inspired 'bottom-up' design that can offer outstanding advantages for engineering structures at a molecular level based on the same long/studied principles of biological structures. We use synthetic materials know as copolymers that have allowed us the design of very robust structures with sizes of hundreds of nanometers (1000 times smaller than human hair). The simplest among these structures formed by copolymers is the vesicle. This is spherical aggregate made of a water core surrounded by a semi-permeable membrane. These nano-spheres have already been used for encapsulating drugs and other molecules. These are then delivered to specific parts of the body so as to minimize drug side-effects. Here we want to expand further the molecular level control by studying the possibility of generating vesicles with patched surfaces. These patches will allow the localization of specific functionalities. Particularly, we present two different immediate applications: vesicles with controlled porosity and self-motile vesicles. In the former, the patches will allow the controlled degradation and formation of stable pores into the vesicles membranes. In the latter, we will generate vesicles with an asymmetric distribution of functional groups. These will subsequently used for attaching molecular motors. This will be the first attempt for designing self-propelled nano-particles.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Giuseppe Battaglia (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Battaglia G
(2018)
Design principles for precision targeting
Battaglia G
(2019)
On the design of precision nanomedicines
Battaglia G
(2011)
Wet nanoscale imaging and testing of polymersomes.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Battaglia G
(2018)
Bottom-up Evolution from Disks to High-Genus Polymersomes
Contini C
(2018)
Bottom-up Evolution from Disks to High-Genus Polymersomes
Lomas H
(2008)
Non-cytotoxic polymer vesicles for rapid and efficient intracellular delivery.
in Faraday discussions
LoPresti C
(2009)
Polymersomes: nature inspired nanometer sized compartments
in Journal of Materials Chemistry
LoPresti C
(2011)
Controlling polymersome surface topology at the nanoscale by membrane confined polymer/polymer phase separation.
in ACS nano
Luo L
(2019)
Thermosensitive nanocomposite gel for intra-tumoral two-photon photodynamic therapy.
in Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society
Massignani M
(2009)
Controlling cellular uptake by surface chemistry, size, and surface topology at the nanoscale.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Ruiz-Pérez L
(2018)
Separating Extreme pH Gradients Using Amphiphilic Copolymer Membranes.
in Chemphyschem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry
Ruiz-Pérez L
(2018)
Cover Feature: Separating Extreme pH Gradients Using Amphiphilic Copolymer Membranes (ChemPhysChem 16/2018)
in ChemPhysChem
Smart T
(2008)
Controlling Fusion and Aggregation in Polymersome Dispersions Controlling Fusion and Aggregation in Polymersome Dispersions
in Macromolecular Rapid Communications
Tian X
(2019)
On the design of precision nanomedicines
Tian X
(2019)
On the design of precision nanomedicines
Williams I
(2020)
Diffusioosmotic and convective flows induced by a nonelectrolyte concentration gradient.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
| Description | Outcome were submitted in the Je-s form This grant has set the basis for the follow on studies these include several physicochemical design of new polymersome as well as their translation into clinical applications |
| First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
| Sector | Chemicals,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Biocompatibles UK Ltd |
| Organisation | BTG |
| Department | Biocompatibles |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We have had 1 PDRA and 2 PhD project sponsored by this company as well as to establish a EPSRC Partnership |
| Collaborator Contribution | Commercialisation and technology transfer |
| Impact | Commercial product CeLluminate sold for two years (now due to company restructuring, the product is not longer sold) |
| Start Year | 2007 |