Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Frontiers In The Self-Assembly Of Charged Macromolecules, Khatcher O. Margossian

Doctoral Dissertations

The self-assembly of charged macromolecules forms the basis of all life on earth. From the synthesis and replication of nucleic acids, to the association of DNA to chromatin, to the targeting of RNA to various cellular compartments, to the astonishingly consistent folding of proteins, all life depends on the physics of the organization and dynamics of charged polymers. In this dissertation, I address several of the newest challenges in the assembly of these types of materials. First, I describe the exciting new physics of the complexation between polyzwitterions and polyelectrolytes. These materials open new questions and possibilities within the context …

Development Of Stimuli-Responsive Liposomes For Drug Delivery Applications, Jinchao Lou

Doctoral Dissertations

Liposomes are spherical nano-assemblies that are proven to be effective drug delivery vehicles. Due to their unique bilayer structures, they are able to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs in their aqueous inner core and membrane bilayers, respectively. While liposomal delivery platforms exbibit numerous advantages, the therapeutic efficacy of these platforms would be enhanced by developing triggered release strategies such that one can tune the timing and location of the cargo release in a controlled manner. In this dissertation, we mainly present the development of stimuli-responsive liposomes targeting different disease-associated metabolites utilizing rationally designed synthetic lipid switches.

In Chapter 2, …

Investigating Ionic Current Rectification As A Means Of Controllable Drug Delivery Using Silica Nanoparticles And Nano Porous Membranes, Katie L. Nolan

Honors College Theses

This project investigates a novel ionic current rectification (ICR) phenomenon created by the opening and closing of nanopores by charged silica nanoparticles (SNPs) under electrophoretic flow. This voltage-controlled opening and closing of the pores can be exploited to allow delivery of nicotine through the pores at programmable intervals. The ICR phenomenon was thoroughly investigated by varying pH, buffer concentration, SNP concentration, and applied voltage range. The mechanism was also verified by testing with a 2-, 3-, and 5-electrode system. Potential cake layer formation was demonstrated in a longer ICR test, and the implications of this on the drug delivery mechanism …

Targeting Platelets Using Ionic Liquid Coated Nanoparticles, Karen Mun Wong

Honors Theses

Platelets are key players in our body’s inflammatory processes upon activation, which can create physiological problems. Researchers are actively seeking solutions by targeting platelets with therapeutics. The objective of the research in this thesis was to investigate a new and potentially less invasive drug delivery platform using nanoparticles. The topic of the project was to explore the world of ionic liquids and their abilities, when coated on nanoparticles, to bind to platelets. A library of choline carboxylic acid-based ionic liquids (ILs) was first synthesized via salt metathesis while PLGA-based nanoparticles were simultaneously being synthesized via the nanoprecipitation method. The ionic …

Cyclotide-Rich Fractions Containing Nanofibers By Electrospinning: Preparation, Characterization And Examination Of Antimicrobial Activity, Eli̇f Büşra Baş, Cemi̇l Kürekci̇, Orhan Murat Kalfa, Muharrem Akcan

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

In this study, antimicrobial nanofibers were produced with the mixtures of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and cyclotide-rich fractions by electrospinning method. After extraction, the first separation was carried out with C18 flash chromatography and then fractioned into five separate parts by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The molecular weights of cyclotides in each fraction were determined by quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (Q-TOF LC-MS). Cyclotide-rich fractions were mixed with 10% of PVA solution and nanofibers were produced from this biocomposite mixture by electrospinning method. The nanofibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and it was observed that 100% …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Amino Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Graphene Oxide As A Potential Carrier For Quercetin, Ali Sadeghi, Mohammad Faeli, Mahmood Tajbakhsh, Abdolreza Abri, Monireh Golpour

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

In this investigation, a new nanocomposite as a nanocarrier based on functionalized graphene oxide was synthesized by reaction of tetraethylenepentamine and chlorosulfonic acid with functional groups on the surface of GO. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by FT-IR, XRD TGA, FE-SEM, EDAX, TEM, and AFM analysis. To explore the potential of nanocomposites in drug delivery, the loading and releases of quercetin as an anticancer drug were investigated. The result displayed that more than 90% of the drug was loaded on the nanocarrier and the release of the drug is depending on the pH of the environment such that the releases …

Drug Delivery System For Controlled Release Of Empagliflozin From Alginate-Chitosannanocarrier System, Nasim Ramazanzadeh, Nosrat O. Mahmoodi

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

biocompatible nanocarrier system was prepared in this research through the reaction of calcium alginate (CA) with chitosan (CS). The structure of developed nanocarriers (CS-CA) was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Swelling properties of CS-CA and CA, and their ability for loading and in vitro release of empagliflozin (EMP) were also investigated. The results showed the higher loading capacity of CS-CA compared to CA. For both nanocarriers, the drug release was higher at neutral pH (7.4 and 6.8) …

Peg4000 Modified Liposomes Enhance The Solubility Of Quercetin And Improve The Liposome Functionality: In Vitro Characterization And The Cellular Efficacy, Gülen Meli̇ke Demi̇rbolat, Ömer Erdoğan, Gökni̇l Peli̇n Coşkun, Özge Çevi̇k

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Quercetin, a multifunctional therapeutic agent, is used in various types of cancer. However, its therapeutic effect is limited by virtue of poorly aqueous solubility and instability in the physiological medium. To overcome these limitations, we aimed (i) to design quercetin loaded liposomes with unlinked-PEG4000 with regard to not only surface modification but also solubility enhancement, and (ii) to investigate the antineoplastic effects on HeLa cells. PEG4000 increased the quercetin solubility 2.2 fold. PEG4000 modified liposomes displayed small particle size (254 ± 69 nm), low polydispersity index (0.236 ± 0.018), favorable zeta potential (-35.4 ± 0.6 mV), high quercetin encapsulation efficiency …