Cubosome drug carriers with bioconjugated functionalities and pH-responsive polymer shells

• Grant number: 18/21727-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: November 01, 2019
• End date: October 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Biophysics of Processes and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Omar Mertins
• Grantee: Omar Mertins
• Host Investigator: Angelina Angelova
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université Paris-Sud, Châtenay-Malabry (Paris 11), France
• Associated research grant: 16/13368-4 - Nanostructured systems: from membrane biomimetic models to carriers of bioactives, AP.TEM

Abstract

Cubosomes represent a nano structured colloidal system with high capacity for encapsulation of drugs and bioactive agents and promising application as a system of controlled release and release thereof. The internal structure of the cubosomes, which consists of three-dimensional networks of lipid bilayers with crystalline topologies, can be redefined by the incorporation of macromolecules providing specific and advantageous characteristics for an application medium. In this project we will be developing composite cubes of lipids and polysaccharides chitosan and alginate, aiming the production of these nano structures with defined characteristics and whose structure is pH-responsive, aiming its application as a drug delivery system for oral administration. The structural and pH-responsive studies of these nano particles and the encapsulation and release capacity of the antioxidant catechin and the anticancer drug docetaxel will be conducted with innovative procedures and techniques. By means of high resolution microscopy with stimulated emission depletion, time-resolved low-angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron cryo-microscopy and high performance liquid chromatography, the internal structure will be known in detail as well as the changes in real time by the incorporation of macromolecules and pH variation. Therefore, in this project we will use new techniques of latest technology to explore its potential in the development of an innovative drug delivery system. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MATHEWS, PATRICK D.; MERTINS, OMAR; ANGELOV, BORISLAV; ANGELOVA, ANGELINA. Cubosomal lipid nanoassemblies with pH-sensitive shells created by biopolymer complexes: A synchrotron SAXS study. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, v. 607, n. 1, p. 440-451, FEB 2022. (19/13147-6, 21/00971-2, 18/21727-0)

MERTINS, OMAR; MATHEWS, PATRICK D.; ANGELOVA, ANGELINA. Advances in the Design of pH-Sensitive Cubosome Liquid Crystalline Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery Applications. NANOMATERIALS, v. 10, n. 5, MAY 2020. (16/13368-4, 19/13147-6, 18/21727-0)