Worm-shaped polymersomes and their effects on targeting efficiency

In order to improve the targeting efficiency of polymersomes with a given number of targeting molecules conjugated, efforts are being made to control particle shape. I hypothesized that worm-shaped polymersomes formed from self-assembly between poly(amino acid)s would have more targeting capability than spherical polymersomes. Morphology of the resulting polymersome was observed afterwards. The polymersome was further modified to present Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif, which is known to bind with cells that overexpress integrins. The binding affinities of the polymersomes onto target substrates were assessed using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy and adherence of the polymersomes to a target cell layer was also evaluated using flow chamber simulating blood flow.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Choi, Je

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kong, Hyun Joon

• particle shape

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2013 Je Choi

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/46914

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/46914