Fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots) have the potential to revolutionize biological imaging, but their use has been limited by difficulties in obtaining nanocrystals that are biocompatible. To address this problem, we encapsulated individual nanocrystals in phospholipid block-copolymer micelles and demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo imaging. When conjugated to DNA, the nanocrystal-micelles acted as in vitro fluorescent probes to hybridize to specific complementary sequences. Moreover, when injected into Xenopus embryos, the nanocrystal-micelles were stable, nontoxic (<5 x 10(9) nanocrystals per cell), cell autonomous, and slow to photobleach. Nanocrystal fluorescence could be followed to the tadpole stage, allowing lineage-tracing experiments in embryogenesis.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/298/5599/1759.full.pdf

In Vivo Imaging of Quantum Dots Encapsulated in Phospholipid Micelles

Toxicity of Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Cationic and Anionic Side Chains

The formulation and delivery of biopharmaceutical drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins, poses substantial challenges owing to their large size and susceptibility to degradation. In this Review we highlight recent advances in formulation and delivery strategies — such as the use of microsphere-based controlled-release technologies, protein modification methods that make use of polyethylene glycol and other polymers, and genetic manipulation of biopharmaceutical drugs — and discuss their advantages and limitations. We also highlight current and emerging delivery routes that provide an alternative to injection, including transdermal, oral and pulmonary delivery routes. In addition, the potential of targeted and intracellular protein delivery is discussed.

Overcoming the challenges in administering biopharmaceuticals: formulation and delivery strategies

Chemistries that Facilitate Nanotechnology Kim E. Sapsford,† W. Russ Algar, Lorenzo Berti, Kelly Boeneman Gemmill,‡ Brendan J. Casey,† Eunkeu Oh, Michael H. Stewart, and Igor L. Medintz*,‡ †Division of Biology, Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, United States ‡Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering Code 6900 and Division of Optical Sciences Code 5611, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States College of Science, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95817, United States Sotera Defense Solutions, Crofton, Maryland 21114, United States

Functionalizing nanoparticles with biological molecules: developing chemistries that facilitate nanotechnology.

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/1136447.pdf

A review on phospholipids and their main applications in drug delivery systems

A unique set of nanoparticle dispersions of self-assembled lipid mesophases with distinctive reversed cubic, hexagonal, and sponge phase structures has been prepared by use of original lipid combinations and a simple, generally applicable and scalable method. All key properties, particle size distributions, shape, phase structure, and stability, are controlled predictably and reproducibly. The results suggest the cross-disciplinary use of nonlamellar particle structures in science and technology as, for instance, biomimetics, in vivo drug delivery vehicles for diagnostic and therapeutic agents, protein crystallization matrices, and soft nanoporous materials.

Self-assembled lipid superstructures: beyond vesicles and liposomes.

Methods and compositions for producing lipid-based cubic phase nanoparticles were first discovered in the 1990s. Since then a number of studies have been presented, but little is known about how to control key properties such as particle size, morphology, and stability of cubic phase dispersions. In the present work we give examples of how these properties can be tuned by composition and processing conditions. Importantly we show that stable particle dispersions with consistent size and structure can be produced by a simple processing scheme comprising a homogenization and heat treatment step.

Cubic phase nanoparticles (Cubosome): Principles for controlling size, structure, and stability

https://www.cell.com/biophysj/pdf/S0006-3495(03)74798-5.pdf

Markus Johnsson

Papers

Self-assembled lipid superstructures: beyond vesicles and liposomes.

Cubic phase nanoparticles (Cubosome): Principles for controlling size, structure, and stability

Liposomes, Disks, and Spherical Micelles: Aggregate Structure in Mixtures of Gel Phase Phosphatidylcholines and Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Phospholipids

Effect of polyethyleneglycol-phospholipids on aggregate structure in preparations of small unilamellar liposomes

Interactions of lipid-based liquid crystalline nanoparticles with model and cell membranes.