Factorial study of nanoparticles formulations using a home-made device for cubosome characterization

• Grant number: 20/01798-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2020
• End date: February 28, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Leandro Ramos Souza Barbosa
• Grantee: Letícia Ferragut Casotti
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Nanomedicine is an area of science with increasing interest in recent years, with special consideration for drug delivery systems. Among the several particles used for this purpose, we highlight those formed by lipids and polymers, like liposomes and cubosomes. Cubosomes are nanostructured particles formed by the addition of amphiphilic lipid (phyanthtriol) in excess of water, and their self-aggregation forms periodic structures of cubic symmetry. Cubosomes are structured in a kind of continuous, highly curved lipid bilayer stabilized by a nonionic polymer such as Pluronic® F-127. Its unique structure provides both encapsulation of a hydrophilic drug and a hydrophobic drug. In this project we will study the structural changes suffered by cubosomes related to changes in the sample preparation protocol. Thus, the main objective of this research project is to develop an automated system for the preparation of cubosomes, and to verify possible factors that interfere with the production protocol. A factorial study will be carried out to establish the best conditions for sample production and characterize them using various biophysical techniques such as: low angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to verify the internal structure of cubic phases; dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) used to verify the size of the nanoparticles and the polydispersion index of the sample.