We utilize a series of structurally homologous, multi-porphyrin-based, fluorophores (PBFs) in order to explore the capacity of polymer vesicles (polymersomes) to stably incorporate large hydrophobic molecules, non-covalently within their thick lamellar membranes. Through aqueous hydration of dry, uniform thin-films of amphiphilic polymer and PBF species deposited on Teflon, self-assembled polym...

An enzyme-responsive FRET nanoprobe was designed and developed based on AIE-driven fluorescent polysaccharide polymersomes to study the real-time delivery aspects in intracellular compartments live cancer cells.

Polymersomes, polymeric vesicles that self-assemble in aqueous solutions from block copolymers, have been avidly investigated in recent years as potential drug delivery agents. Past work has highlighted peptide-functionalized polymersomes as a highly promising targeted delivery system. However, few reports have investigated the ability of polymersomes to operate as gene delivery agents. In this...

In contrast to simple salts or negatively charged macromolecules, positively charged proteins and peptides including cytochrome c (yeast) and poly-L-lysine are efficiently encapsulated while inducing the formation of polymersomes from polystyrene(140)-b-poly(acrylic acid)(48) (PS(140)-b-PAA(48)).

Noninvasive imaging technologies, capable of visualizing early carcinoma or dormant or latent metastatic tumor cells and evaluating the efficacy of cancer therapies are becoming increasingly important. In this thesis, NIR-emissive polymersomes are engineered for optimal cellular uptake to enable fluorescence-based tumor targeting. A series of benzothiadiazole conjugated porphyrin oligomers with...

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is present in more than 60% of gastric cancer, 40% of ovarian cancer, and 35% of colon cancer patients. It is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality, with a median survival of 1 to 3 months. Cytoreductive surgery combined with intraperitoneal chemotherapy is the current clinical treatment, but achieving curative drug accumulation and penetration in pe...