Thesis Project Description:
Our objective is to construct an advanced nanoscale delivery system combining (i) a member of a recently developed family of macrocyclic molecular containers (cucurbit[7]uril or CB[7] as a reference to its pumpkin shape) as a molecular cargo, attached on (ii), targeting peptides with selective recognition abilities toward Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)-Receptors. The idea is to be able to reach the LDL-R expressed on cell surfaces and internalize, the compounds (drugs and fluorescent tracers) transported by CB[7], into cells. The challenge lies in the selective targeting of unmodified (efficient) drugs to desired sites of interest for imaging or therapeutic applications. The ability of CB[7] to transport a variety of substances with relevant affinities, and of the designed peptides to reach LDL-Receptors, are expected to tackle this challenge.
Thesis Supervisors:
Interdisciplinary Research Axis:
Nano-health
Academic Background:
Master of Chinese Medicinal Science, University of Macau, China