Multitechnique Investigation of 3,4-Acetonide-Uridine-Succinate-Cholesterol Interactions with Lipid Mixtures in Membrane Models for Cancer Cells

• Grant number: 24/19515-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Luciano Caseli
• Grantee: Guilherme Nuñez Jaroque
• Supervisor: Patrycja Dynarowicz-Latka
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Jagiellonian University, Poland
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/12966-9 - Interaction of alkylated uridines with biological membrane models, BP.DR

Abstract

This project aims to investigate the interaction of 3,4-acetonide-uridine-succinate-cholesterol (PNM3), a compound with recognized anticancer potential, with model membranes using Langmuir monolayers composed of lipid mixtures. The selected phospholipids will reflect those abundant in cellular membranes, including phospholipids with choline, ethanolamine, or serine as polar headgroups, alongside sphingomyelin and cholesterol. The interactions between PNM3 and these model membranes will be evaluated through tensiometric and optical measurements. Additionally, AFM-IR will be used to map the distribution of lipid components before and after PNM3 incorporation. Key physicochemical parameters, such as the excess free energy of mixing and the compression modulus, will be calculated and analyzed. To enhance the study, collaboration with an overseas group specializing in the thermodynamic characterization of lipid mixtures will be leveraged, along with access to advanced techniques supporting the ongoing Ph.D. project.