Development of a polymer-based system for delivery of anti-miR-100 and 125b for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

The research aims to develop a novel delivery system for anti-miRNA-100 and 125b for pancreatic cancer treatment. This project aims to synthesize star and linear co-polymers with different architectures and compositions, varying percentages of DMAEMA and OEGMA, by group transfer polymerization, characterize their physicochemical properties using a range of techniques, including dynamic light scattering (DLS), spectroscopy, NMR and gel permeation chromatography. Furthermore, it aims to optimise N/P ratios and assess the stability, safety profile and efficiency of the carriers by performing cell viability assays in 2D and 3D models of pancreatic spheroids as we as by assessing the effect of the polymers in the immune system by studying the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in THP-1 derived macrophages upon treatment with polymers. Moreover, it aims to assess the transfection efficiency of synthesised polymers by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy in comparison with benchmark polymers.