Speaker
Description
In next-generation therapeutics and synthetic biology, nanoreservoirs with enzyme-like activity are gaining attention for their potential to replace biological functions, introduce new cellular capabilities, or control therapeutic effects. These artificial cell nano-structures hold promise for enhancing targeted therapies, biosensor platforms, and modulating immune responses. For instance, manipulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the Fenton reaction could lead to advanced materials, though controlling ROS generation remains a challenge for safety and efficacy.
In this framework, we have previously described ferrocene-containing polymersomes (FcPsomes) with ferrocene units in their membrane, demonstrating their capacity for radical generation and enzyme-mediated cargo release,[1],[2] promising features to promote combined effects in a single nanoplatform, scale them up to more complex systems and make a significant contribution to the nanocatalic medicine. Later, we have made significant progress by improving the fabrication, resulting in more uniform nanoscale self-assembled structures capable of loading bio(macro)molecules and adapting membrane properties to the biological environment. Using a tailored mixture of pH-responsive block copolymers (BCPs), we have developed photo-crosslinked and pH responsive polymersomes with ferrocene units, which provide distinct therapeutic windows dependent on pH and salt concentrations. Deep structural-function characterization study has been conducted, biomimetic approaches and preliminary cancer therapy tests. Lastly, integrating these nanoreservoirs with active matter systems could lead to dynamic materials, including functionalized micromotors for precise drug delivery and overcoming biological barriers.[3]
References
[1] Moreno, S; Hübner, H; Effenberg, C; Boye, S; Ramuglia, A; Schmitt, D; Voit, B, Weidinger, I; Gallei, M, Appelhans, D Biomacromolecules 2022, 23, 11, 4655-4667.
[2] Wang, D; Moreno, S; Boye, S; Voit, B; Appelhans D Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2023, 44, 2200885.
[3] Rajabasadi, F; Moreno, S; Fichna, K; Aziz, A; Appelhans, D; Schmidt, O. G.; Medina-Sánchez, M Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 50, 2270346.
