School of Chemistry - Research Publications

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    Mechanically Tunable, Self-Adjuvanting Nanoengineered Polypeptide Particles
    Cui, J ; De Rose, R ; Best, JP ; Johnston, APR ; Alcantara, S ; Liang, K ; Such, GK ; Kent, SJ ; Caruso, F (WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH, 2013-07-05)
    DNA-loaded polypeptide particles are prepared via templated assembly of mesoporous silica for the delivery of adjuvants. The elasticity and cargo-loading capacity of the obtained particles can be tuned by the amount of cross-linker used to stabilize the polypeptide particles. The use of polypeptide particles as biocarriers provides a promising method for vaccine delivery.
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    Endocytic pH-Triggered Degradation of Nanoengineered Multilayer Capsules
    Liang, K ; Such, GK ; Johnston, APR ; Zhu, Z ; Ejima, H ; Richardson, JJ ; Cui, J ; Caruso, F (WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH, 2014-03)
    The synthesis of cross-linker free layer-by-layer (LbL) capsules that solely utilize cellular pH variations as a trigger to specifically deconstruct and subsequently release cargo in cells is reported. These capsules demonstrate retention of water-soluble therapeutic molecules as small as 500 Da at extracellular pH. Triggered capsule degradation and release of cargo is observed within 30 min of cell uptake.
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    Fundamental Studies of Hybrid Poly(2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate)/Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) Films and Capsules
    Ng, SL ; Best, JP ; Kempe, K ; Liang, K ; Johnston, APR ; Such, GK ; Caruso, F (AMER CHEMICAL SOC, 2014-07)
    Hybrid and multicompartment carriers are of significant interest for the development of next-generation therapeutic drug carriers. Herein, fundamental investigations on layer-by-layer (LbL) capsules consisting of two different polymers are presented. The hybrid systems were designed to have pH-responsive, charge-shifting poly(2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDPA) inner layers and low-fouling poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPON) outer layers. Planar hybrid films with different layer ratios were studied by quartz crystal microgravimetry (QCM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The information obtained was translated to particulate templates to prepare hybrid capsules, which were stabilized by click chemistry. The charge-shifting behavior of PDPA improved the cargo encapsulation and initial retention of a model CpG cargo, while outer layers of PVPON improved biofouling properties compared to single-component PDPA capsules. The results demonstrate the need to understand and design multifunctional systems that can successfully embody different functionalities in a single, stable construct for the fabrication of next-generation drug and gene delivery carriers aimed at overcoming the challenges encountered in biological systems.
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    Synthesis and functionalization of nanoengineered materials using click chemistry
    Such, GK ; Johnston, APR ; Liang, K ; Caruso, F (PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2012-07)