Lipogels for Encapsulation of Hydrophilic Proteins and Hydrophobic Small Molecules

Celia C. Homyak, Ann Fernandez, Mollie A. Touve, Bo Zhao, Francesca Anson, Jeanne A. Hardy, Richard W. Vachet, Nathan C. Gianneschi, Jennifer L. Ross, S. Thayumanavan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lipid-polymer hybrid materials have the potential to exhibit enhanced stability and loading capabilities in comparison to parent liposome or polymer materials. However, complexities lie in formulating and characterizing such complex nanomaterials. Here we describe a lipid-coated polymer gel (lipogel) formulated using a single-pot methodology, where self-assembling liposomes template a UV-curable polymer gel core. Using fluorescently labeled lipids, protein, and hydrophobic molecules, we characterized their formation, purification, stability, and encapsulation efficiency via common instrumentation methods such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and single-particle total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. In addition, we confirmed that these dual-guest-loaded lipogels are stable in solution for several months. The simplicity of this complete aqueous formation and noncovalent dual-guest encapsulation holds potential as a tunable nanomaterial scaffold.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)132-140
Number of pages9
JournalBiomacromolecules
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 8 2018
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Biomaterials
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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