Radiation-Engineered Functionalized Nanogels as Platform for Biomedical Nanocarriers and Bio-Hybrid, Hierarchically Assembled Nanostructures

Radiation technologies can be considered as choice methodologies for the creation of new functional materials at the nanoscale, the challenge being now the integration of these and other novel nanomaterials into new materials and products. The possibility of generating nanoscalar PVP-based hydrogels particles, with reactive functional groups for subsequent bioconjugation, using industrial type accelerators has been demonstrated. These functional nanoparticles are under evaluation as nanocarriers for targeted release of drugs, but can also be considered as useful building blocks for the assembly of nanostructured materials with controlled architecture. In particular, molecular recognition strategies can be developed to tailor the structural and functional properties of the composite by attaching complementary sequences of molecules from biological source (peptides or oligonucleotides) that will tie nanoparticles together. Under the present CRP, biodegradable nanoparticles will be developed using xyloglucan, a relatively inexpensive polysaccharide as base material, in alternative to PVP. Chemical modification of xyloglucan will be attempted with the purpose of generating radiation cleavable crosslinked micro/nanoparticles. These micro/nanoparticles will incorporate stabilizers (antioxidants, such as quercetin) or pro-degrading agents (enzymes) and will be either dispersed into a biodegradable film forming polymer or self-assembled to form a supramolecular networked film or scaffold. For the purpose, suitable surface modification will be pursued either to promote compatibilisation with the matrix polymer or to efficiently drive the self-assembly process. UV or quantum beam irradiation will be investigated as trigger for the release of the entrapped actives from micro/nanoparticles. (author)