Katarina Edwards: "Nanodisks and Nuclisomes –from model membranes to targeted drug delivery"

Prof. Katarina Edwards
Dept. of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Uppsala University

Nanodisks and Nuclisomes –from model membranes to targeted drug delivery

Model membranes that faithfully reflect the structure and properties of biological membranes are essential for studies of, e.g., the structure/function of membrane proteins and drug-membrane interactions. Among the most widely employed model membranes are phospholipid liposomes. The closed structure and inherent instability of conventional liposomes constitute, however, a potential problem for certain applications. We have developed a novel type of lipid disks that have the potential to avoid these problems. The nanosized disks may, more over, prove valuable for formulation and transport of peptide, genetic, as well as hydrophobic/amphiphilic drugs.

The efficacy of conventional cancer chemotherapy is often limited by severe side effects that preclude therapeutic drug levels from being reached at the tumour site. In a collaborative project we have for some years been exploring a novel concept for targeted cancer therapy. The concept, which utilizes liposomal carriers in combination with a double targeting principle, aims at the delivery of Auger-emitting radionuclides to the nucleus of tumour cells. We call our nuclide filled liposomes Nuclisome^®-particles and are currently evaluating their potential in a number of cell and animal models.