University

Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany

Email oLivia.zschau@t-online.de

Thesis topic

Understanding the interaction of gastrointestinal biomolecules with cell penetrating peptide-functionalized PLGA-nanoparticles

Co-supervisor

Prof. Ben J. Boyd (Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

Project description

Surface modification of nanoparticles with cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) is a promising tool in nanomedicine research to enhance the cellular uptake of drug-loaded nanoparticles. The surface charge (zeta potential) of nanoparticles is known to play a crucial role in cellular uptake. 

To achieve the greatest benefit from those nano-drug delivery systems, it is important to understand the interplay between nanoparticles and the bio-interface. While interactions between nanoparticles and blood components have been intensely investigated, almost unknown is the interaction of nano-systems with contents in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). 

Therefore, as a first step towards studying more complex GIT fluids, my initial aim in this project was to investigate how aqueous bile salt solutions influence the surface charge of CPP-tagged PLGA nanoparticles.