Kleine Partikel, smarte Wirkung: Zielgerichteter Wirkstofftransport mit Nanopartikeln

Abstract

In the presented teaching unit, students gain insights into the field of nanomedicine with focus on targeted drug delivery. The introduction is problem-oriented, highlighting the challenges and limitations of conventional systemic drug delivery: severe side effects in non-diseased organs and low therapeutic efficacy at the target site. In contrast, the potential of using nanocarriers in modern medicine is explored, along with the associated opportunities for personalized and precise treatment. Polymers are identified as suitable starting materials for nanoscale plastic particles, based on their known properties. Students independently synthesize the polymer poly(δ -valerolactone) (Pδ VL), started from the monomer δ -valerolactone via a ring-opening polymerization. The focus then shifts to the formulation of nanocarriers, which are designed to encapsulate the cargos, transport within the body, protect from premature degradation, and finally release them at the diseased organ. Using the synthesized polymer Pδ VL as starting material, students produce nanocarriers and load them with the model drug Nile Red. The solvent displacement method involving dropwise addition is applied, and the underlying chemical principles are explained. Finally, the focus is placed on stimulus-responsive release. In a student experiment, pH-dependent release is demonstrated as an example.