Nanostructured systems: from membrane biomimetic models to carriers of bioactives

Abstract

Lipid and polymeric nanostructured systems are self-assembled systems with characteristic sizes in the nanometric scale. Among them, liposomes, nanoparticles, emulsions and continuous phases can be highlighted. Liposomes have been widely employed as mimetic models of biological membranes, due to their easy manipulation and for allowing precise control of the system components. Therefore, the fundamental aspects underlying a specific biological process involving the membrane can be studied in its essence in a simplified and controlled way. In addition, liposomal systems have been employed as bioactive molecules carriers. Nevertheless, depending on the drug and specific therapeutic target, these systems exhibit limitations in their application. Alternatively, polymeric nanoparticles and emulsions have been developed as biocompatible carriers with higher efficiency in preserving the bioactive compound stability in the biological milieu and to guarantee its controlled and site-directed delivery. This project envisages two main research topics: one with a focus on the membrane properties and their interaction with bioactive molecules with amphiphilic character, as peptides, detergents and neuromodulators, and a more applied one envisioning the use of nanostructured systems as carriers of compounds with pharmaceutical implication. The implementation of this project in a multidisciplinary environment of a medical school will allow the articulation of the proponent team and the consolidation of this emerging basic research area in membrane biophysics and carrier systems in the Department of Biophysics at EPM with potential application in biomedicine. (AU)