Nanoencapsulation, a technique that involves encapsulating bioactive compounds using a suitable carrier, emerges as a solution to protect these compounds. Nanoencapsulation enables bioactive compounds to retain their functionality for extended periods and release from the encapsulant at significantly slower rates compared to nonencapsulated compounds. Phospholipids and polymers ensures that most of the active compounds are off, locked inside a carrier. Only when they reach the target does an external trigger (infrared light, red light, ultrasound) open the nanocarriers and thus release the drugs, singlet oxygen, or other bioactive compounds.
The aim of the research is to develop high-quality nanocarriers, investigate their physicochemical properties and light-activated therapeutic effects. Experiments will be performed in Biomedical Physics Laboratory, National Cancer Institute. The funds of a joint project between Lithuania and Taiwan (No. P-LT-TW-24-17) will be used to support part of the experiments.
Several nanocarriers will be developed, and their physicochemical properties and biological effects will be explored. One of the potential nanocarrier will be PAMAM dendrimer cluster, which could provide large core space, and then sequentially loaded indocyanine green (ICG, a photothermal agent) and active compound (doxorubicin, photosensitizer). DOX can be released by NIR (808 nm) laser irradiation. Another nanocarrier - phospholipid structures (liposomes, micelles) uploaded with photosensitizers, for the light-controlled release of cytotoxic compounds in cancer cells.
Mokslinis vadovas / Supervisor: dr. Simona Steponkienė
Konsultantas: Prof. dr. Vitalijus Karabanovas
Kontaktai / Contacts:
tel. / phone: +37062085574
Programme: Biophysics N 011