Tuning cellular entry mechanisms for nanomaterial drug delivery platforms

Healthcare Nanomaterials have significant application in delivering therapeutic for a variety of diseases from cancer to vaccines. The mode of entry into the cell to give the biggest payload in an effective manner is not yet realised. Currently through liposome or surface protein interaction and endocytosis are non-specific and slow kinetic driven pathways. This project aims to engineer nanoplatforms based on optically active quantum dots, that penetrate the cell membrane and then specifically switches on to localise within the cell or subcellular organelle. The nanomaterial will be synthesised and optically tuned using state of the art reactor platforms, with cell penetrating peptides and environmental switch (pH/O2/protease). The nanoplatforms will be validated physically (TEM/DLS/ZETA/PL) and within cellular models both 2d and 3d models to show localisation with the cell. Preclinical models will be explored to show the effectiveness of the engineered nanoplatforms for cellular entry for potential use as therapeutic delivery.