{"title":"Quantum dot bioconjugates: emerging tools with great potential to study protein interactions and dynamics by FRET","authors":"E. M. Gálvez, J. Pardo","doi":"10.1504/IJBNN.2011.038467","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBNN.2011.038467","url":null,"abstract":"Methods based on fluorescence technology have been widely employed to analyse protein function, dynamics, interactions and folding in cell free systems as well as in intact cells. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a unique technique to precisely calculate inter- and intra-molecular distances in proteins and thus to study protein-protein/peptide interaction, folding and conformational changes. However detailed studies of these processes at the single molecule level and/or in intact cells, requires fluorescence dyes with high stability and quantum yield. During the last six years fluorescent nanocrystals (quantum dots) have been developed as potent and promising fluorescence dyes that fulfil the prerequisites to study protein function in FRET based assays. It is the aim of this short review to summarise the benefits and drawbacks of QDs in the study of protein function and dynamics in biological systems.","PeriodicalId":89939,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biomedical nanoscience and nanotechnology","volume":"2 1","pages":"55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBNN.2011.038467","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66691027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Saumendra N. Sarkar, Arthur L. Williams, S. Pramanik, S. Mandal
{"title":"Quantum dots: a promising tool in molecular biology","authors":"Saumendra N. Sarkar, Arthur L. Williams, S. Pramanik, S. Mandal","doi":"10.1504/IJBNN.2011.038466","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBNN.2011.038466","url":null,"abstract":"Quantum dot is a spatial semiconductor of periodic groups of II-VI, III-V, or IV-VI materials, which generates optically stable fluorophores upon excitations at various wavelengths (from UV-IR). To date, quantum dot technologies are used in various fields and the use in molecular biology has increased dramatically over the past years. In this review article, we would discuss the potential uses of this versatile nano crystal. Quantum dot technology is also used in cell labelling, bio-sensing, in-vivo imaging, bimodal magnetic-luminescent imaging, and diagnostics. We would also discuss toxicity issues surrounding this nano crystal and speculate about the future uses of quantum dot in large areas of biomedical sciences.","PeriodicalId":89939,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biomedical nanoscience and nanotechnology","volume":"2 1","pages":"45-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBNN.2011.038466","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66691487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Garcel, S. Martel, P. Carrupt, E. Doelker, F. Delie
{"title":"In vitro blood brain barrier models as a screening tool for colloidal drug delivery systems and other nanosystems","authors":"A. Garcel, S. Martel, P. Carrupt, E. Doelker, F. Delie","doi":"10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034650","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034650","url":null,"abstract":"The brain is one of the least accessible organs of the body due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thus making drug delivery to the brain quite a challenge. Various strategies have been explored to circumvent this physiological barrier, including the use of colloidal carriers. These carriers hold great promise as they may increase the delivery of drugs into the brain by protecting them from degradation and prolonging their circulation in the blood, as well as promoting their transport through the BBB. Moreover, functionalisation of these carriers with various ligands allows specific targeting of the central nervous system compartment. Additionally, various in vitro BBB models have been developed and are increasingly useful for screening of drug delivery systems, especially cell-based models that provide mechanistic information. In fact, this paper specifically reviews selected in vitro BBB models as a screening tool for drug delivery colloidal systems.","PeriodicalId":89939,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biomedical nanoscience and nanotechnology","volume":"1 1","pages":"133-163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034650","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66691254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Lactide-glycolide polymers as nano-dimensional carriers for drugs","authors":"B. Mukherjee, G. Roy, K. Santra, B. Sahana","doi":"10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034653","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034653","url":null,"abstract":"Biodegradable polymer poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) as drug-carriers has been a preferred candidate in recent years for developing controlled/sustained release drug delivery systems especially of nano-dimensions due to the favourable physico-chemical characteristics and varieties available of the polymer. Efforts have been in progress to develop nanocarriers based on the polymer to maximise the bio-availability and efficacy of conventional/new extensively versatile drug molecules with minimum side-effects, provide pre-programmed drug release, prolonged duration of drug action and deliver drug at the site of action. This review describes recent work utilising biodegradable polymer poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) for controlled drug delivery, focusing on nanoparticulate delivery systems to shed lights on the present status and advancement of research on nanoformulations with this biodegradable synthetic polymer, mechanism of their cellular uptake and their safety concern. The review highlights the characteristics of the polymers in context to nanoparticles and updates the progress of research in the field in an abridged manner.","PeriodicalId":89939,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biomedical nanoscience and nanotechnology","volume":"1 1","pages":"230"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034653","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66691315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Achievements and challenges in the delivery of bioactive molecules by nano-carbon-based systems","authors":"G. Pastorin, T. R. Nayak, Yupeng Ren","doi":"10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034655","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034655","url":null,"abstract":"The strategic combination of bioactive molecules and drug delivery systems has the advantage of increasing the bioavailability of drugs while improving their safety profiles. Amidst the systems aimed to advance the pharmacological profile of otherwise unfavourable molecules, carbon-based nanomaterials (including nanoparticles, graphite, fullerenes, nanotubes and diamonds) have gained high popularity on the basis of: 1) reduced dimensions, which allow them to penetrate into narrow cellular compartments and accumulate in those areas where their presence is most required; 2) wide surface area, which could be functionalised with several groups or chains and simultaneously incorporate drugs, targeting molecules or fluorescent probes; 3) high resistance, due to their compact structure or the stiffness of the material. Despite these promising factors, this review highlights also some concerns on such carbon-nanosystems and which are mainly attributable to the inability of an exhaustive characterisation and to the potential risks associated with this still-unknown material.","PeriodicalId":89939,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biomedical nanoscience and nanotechnology","volume":"1 1","pages":"267"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034655","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66691371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Development of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for controlled delivery of meloxicam","authors":"S. Khurana, P. Bedi, N. Jain","doi":"10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034654","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034654","url":null,"abstract":"Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) are becoming increasingly popular due to their obvious advantages over other existing lipid based carriers. They have improved drug encapsulation efficiency and have an ability to reduce drug leakage during storage. The main objective of this study is to develop aqueous dispersions of NLC for the delivery of meloxicam (ME). ME-NLC dispersions were prepared by microemulsion template strategy and characterised for size, polydispersity, zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, occlusivity index, and release kinetics. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanoemulsion (NE) were prepared for comparison. The NLC and SLN showed faster onset of action followed by sustained release due to biphasic release pattern in comparison to the constant release from NE. Compared to NE and SLN, the excellent physical stability of NLC dispersions against drug leakage was seen. NLC showed significant occlusion effect that makes them suitable for topical use.","PeriodicalId":89939,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biomedical nanoscience and nanotechnology","volume":"1 1","pages":"247"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034654","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66691360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gemini nanoparticles as a co-delivery system for antigen – CpG oligodeoxynucleotide adjuvant combination","authors":"I. Badea, S. Babiuk, L. Babiuk, M. Foldvari","doi":"10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034656","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034656","url":null,"abstract":"Enhancement of antigen-specific immune responses could be achieved by co-delivery of antigens and adjuvants. CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (unmethylated cytosine-guanine tandems in a specific sequence; ODNs) increase innate and antigen-specific immune responses. Effective co-delivery approaches of CpG ODNs and antigens to antigen-presenting cells are needed to achieve more potent antigen-specific immune responses. We evaluated both cellular and humoural immune responses triggered by hen egg lysozyme (HEL), a model antigen, and CpG ODNs formulated in gemini surfactant and dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine-based nanoparticles as an intradermal and topical co-delivery system in a murine animal model. Overall, intradermal injection of HEL/CpG nanoparticles induced a more pronounced Th1 immune response compared with the HEL and HEL/CpG topical formulations, as evidenced by the shift in the Th2 response triggered by the antigen alone to a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response and increased the presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secreting cells in the spleen. However, in case of topical administration, the nanoparticle formulation of HEL produced enhanced immune response and immunomodulation even without the incorporation of CpG. The HEL-specific immune response and Th1 bias demonstrated the advantage of co-delivery of HEL/CpG ODNs by gemini nanoparticles intradermally, whereas, the adjuvant effect of the nanoparticle delivery system itself was more significant after topical treatment.","PeriodicalId":89939,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biomedical nanoscience and nanotechnology","volume":"1 1","pages":"290"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034656","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66691382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bhuvaneshwar Vaidya, A. Goyal, K. Khatri, N. Mishra, R. Paliwal, Shivani M. Rai, Shailja Tiwari, S. Vyas
{"title":"Bolaamphiphiles based novel liposomes: a possible approach for drug delivery","authors":"Bhuvaneshwar Vaidya, A. Goyal, K. Khatri, N. Mishra, R. Paliwal, Shivani M. Rai, Shailja Tiwari, S. Vyas","doi":"10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034648","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034648","url":null,"abstract":"The present study was designed to develop a novel liposomal system containing dequalinium chloride (DEQ) as a charge-imparting constituent. Liposomes were prepared by cast film method with EPC:chol:DEQ molar ratio of 7:1:2. The novel liposomes were characterised for surface morphology, size and size distribution, entrapment efficiency and in vitro release study. Effect of osmotic shock was performed for establishment of liposomal bilayer stability and results demonstrated that incorporation of dequalinium chloride to the liposomal bilayer hindered the movement of entrapped solute. The hemolysis study was performed for estimation of its toxicological behaviour, if any. Cell-uptake studies showed that developed carrier could be useful for higher penetration in the cells compared to conventional liposomes. This being the first finding of its kind could open up a new era for the use of bolaamphiphiles like DEQ as an integral part of well established carrier like liposomes to provide them additional stability and efficacy.","PeriodicalId":89939,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biomedical nanoscience and nanotechnology","volume":"1 1","pages":"95"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034648","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66691442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Y. Sánchez-Antequera, O. Mykhaylyk, S. Thalhammer, C. Plank
{"title":"Gene delivery to Jurkat T cells using non-viral vectors associated with magnetic nanoparticles","authors":"Y. Sánchez-Antequera, O. Mykhaylyk, S. Thalhammer, C. Plank","doi":"10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034652","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034652","url":null,"abstract":"This paper describes core-shell-type magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and magnetic lipoplexes, comprising these particles, formulated to efficiently transfect suspended human Jurkat leukaemia T cells upon application of a gradient magnetic field for magnetofection. Magnetofection of the Jurkat T cells using selected vector formulations resulted in a significant (up to 4.5-fold) enhancement in both luciferase reporter gene expression and the percentage of cells expressing eGFP, as compared to lipofection. Up to 27% of the Jurkat T cells were eGFP-positive as detected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting with correction for weak fluorescence of the lipid enhancer. The increased efficiency of magnetofection, as compared to lipofection, was shown to be at least partially attributable to increased cellular internalisation of the magnetic vectors upon magnetic field application, as compared to non-magnetic lipoplexes. The metabolic activity of the cells post-magnetofection was comparable to that of untreated cells, suggesting non-toxicity of the vector 48 h post-magnetofection.","PeriodicalId":89939,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biomedical nanoscience and nanotechnology","volume":"1 1","pages":"202"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034652","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66691302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) enriched hydrogels for transdermal delivery of flurbiprofen: formulation, in vitro characterisation, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in animals","authors":"K. Bhaskar","doi":"10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034649","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034649","url":null,"abstract":"Aqueous dispersions of flurbiprofen solid lipid nanoparticles (FLUSLN) and flurbiprofen nanostructured lipid carriers (FLUNLC) by hot homogenisation followed by sonication technique were prepared and then incorporated into the freshly prepared hydrogels for transdermal delivery. They are characterised for particle size, DSC, shape and surface morphology, in vitro drug release, rheological behaviour and in vivo studies. The pharmacokinetics of flurbiprofen in rats following application of SLN gel (A1) and NLC gel (B1) for 24h were evaluated. The Cmax of the NLC gel formulation was 38.67 ± 2.77 μg/ml, which was significantly higher than the SLN gel formulation (Cmax = 21.79 ± 2.96 μg/ml). The bioavailability of flurbiprofen with reference to oral administration was found to increase by 4.4 times when gel formulations were applied. Anti-inflammatory effect in the carrageenan-induced paw edema in rat was significantly higher for NLC gel and SLN gel formulation than the orally administered flurbiprofen. Both the SLN and NLC dispersions and gels enriched with SLN and NLC possessed a sustained drug release over period of 24h.","PeriodicalId":89939,"journal":{"name":"International journal of biomedical nanoscience and nanotechnology","volume":"1 1","pages":"109"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034649","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66691212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}