Séminaire Fernando Giacomelli

Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil

Tailoring Polymer Colloids through Supramolecular Interactions:
Polymersomes, Polyplexes and Polymer-Metal Hybrids towards a Toolbox for Nanofactories and Nanotherapeutics

Polymer colloids are complex materials with versatile structures and morphologies that have the potential to be used in a wide array of fields. In this regard, structural changes of polymeric assemblies can be induced by disparate environmental conditions found in biosystems and therefore, such responsive platforms with tunable properties are attractive for applications in life sciences. Accordingly, this speech aims to disseminate the recent findings of the research group in this framework, particularly focusing on three different subjects: i) investigations concerning the permeability of polymersomes towards the manufacturing of nanofactories for biotransformations,^[1,2] ii) manufacturing of environmentally-responsive supramolecular assemblies for the delivery of molecular and macromolecular therapeutics^[3-5] and iii) the formation of biomacromolecular coronas when nanomaterials are swimming in protein environments.^[6,7]

1.          Du, H. et al. Engineering of ion permeable planar membranes and polymersomes based on β-cyclodextrin-cored star copolymers, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 630, 465-476, 2023.

2.          de Oliveira, F.A. et al. Role of Membrane Features on the Permeability Behavior of Polymersomes and the Potential Impacts on Drug Encapsulation and Release, Biomacromolecules, 24 (5), 2291-2300, 2023.

3.          de Oliveira, F.A. et al. Balancing gene transfection and cytotoxicity of nucleic acid carriers with focus on ocular and hepatic disorders: evaluation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic polyethyleneimine derivatives, Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 11, 4556-4571. 2023.

4.          Albuquerque, L. J. C. et al. Nucleic acid delivery to retinal cells using lipopeptides as a potential tool towards ocular gene therapies. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 655, 346-356, 2024.

5.          Albuquerque, L. J. C. et al. pH-responsive polymersome-mediated delivery of doxorubicin into tumor sites enhances the therapeutic efficacy and reduces cardiotoxic effects. Journal of Controlled Release, 332, 529-538, 2021.

6.          Du, H. et al. Polyglycidol-Stabilized Nanoparticles as a Promising Alternative to Nanoparticle PEGylation: Polymer Synthesis and Protein Fouling Considerations. Langmuir, 36, 1266-1278, 2020.

7.          Giacomeli F. C. et al. Light scattering evidence of selective protein fouling on biocompatible block copolymer micelles. Nanoscale, 4, 4504-4514, 2012.