Supramolecular assemblies of amphiphilic peptides and polymers : towards biomedical applications

Chapter one introduces the concept of self-assembly and its occurrence in nature. The main supramolecular structures accessible by self-assembly of natural and synthetic amphiphilic molecules and their current biomedical applications are briefly described. A particular focus is placed on applications of supramolecular assemblies of amphiphilic materials for drug delivery and as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent. This chapter also presents the scope of this work.
Chapter two presents the development of a stimuli-responsive drug delivery system for redox active anticancer drug candidates. The system consists of nanoparticles self-assembled from a reduction responsive amphiphilic peptide that efficiently entrap hydrophobic model drugs. The cytotoxicity of the system is assessed on two cell lines in presence and absence of reducing agent.
Chapter three presents the development of a highly sensitive, nanoparticle-based, MRI contrast agent co-assembled from a reduction responsive amphiphilic peptide and a diblock co-polymer. The biocompatibility and stimuli-responsiveness of the system are verified in vitro and its contrast agent potential is studied on a clinical 3T MRI scanner.
Chapter four presents preliminary results towards the development of nanosized polymer assemblies for magnetic resonance applications. This feasibility study covers the complexation of gadolinium ions to maltose-decorated polyethylene imine hyperbranched polymers as well as the encapsulation of this system in polymer vesicles. Permeabilization of the polymer vesicles with a bacterial membrane protein is demonstrated and the longitudinal relaxivities of the system studied at a magnetic field of 3T.
Chapter five discusses and concludes the findings presented in this work. Future research directions towards the development of multifunctional supramolecular assemblies for theragnostic applications are suggested.
Chapter six contains the detailed experimental procedures related to the present work. It includes the origin of the materials and equipment, the synthetic and analytical procedures as well as the experimental parameters.