Aggregation of Phospholipid Based Vesicle Using Triblock Polymer

The motivation of this study is to learn more about the effect of lipid to polymer ratios on the biosensing platform in lipid-based vesicles. Nanoparticles are useful because of their ability to detect cancer in the body with the aid of antibodies. This early detection is crucial in avoiding the rapid spread of tumors. In this study, nanoparticles were synthesized for bio-sensing applications. This was accomplished by combining a long chain lipid (dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, DPPC) and a short chain lipid (diheptanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, DHPC). After this, the nanoparticles underwent a temperature cycling procedure. Next, the nanoparticles went through a 100nm extrusion filter. This transformed the multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) into unilamellar vesicles (ULVs). The polymer (polypropylene oxide - polyethylene oxide - polypropylene oxide) was then added to the samples, which served as a linker to create a cluster of ULVs. The clustering process was monitored using apparent UV absorption and dynamic light scattering. Dynamic light scattering reflects the hydrodynamic radius of the particle and UV absorption records the change in turbidity. If large clusters are formed, then both the UV absorption and the hydrodynamic radius will increase. Three different polymer to lipid ratios were used: 2.5:1, 1:1, and 0.5:1. The results show that with an increase of polymer to lipid ratios, the aggregation process was facilitated. The nanoparticles were fabricated at the Self-Assembled Functional Nanomaterials (SAFN) lab under the mentorship of Professor Mu-Ping Nieh. The results of this study could provide a more effective way to detect malignant cancer cells in susceptible patients.