Synthesis of amphilic block copolymers for study of cellular interaction and uptake

Abstract

Therapeutics once administered into the human body begins to degrade almost immediately. This is a result of the body metabolizing the drug once it enters the digestive system or the reticuloendothelial system (RES). This is a major problem with the ability of the therapeutic to effectively treat the targeted cells. To increase the efficiency of the therapeutics the use of a protective shell can be employed. Block copolymers can act as vehicle for drugs because they contain a hydrophobic core to protect the drug as well as a hydrophilic shell that can solubilize in the aqueous environment of the human body. These polymers will increase the efficiency of the drugs by protecting them from the environment until the release of the full dose on the effected cells. This project will be carried out to synthesize these polymers using the technique of RAFT polymerization. Various concentrations of monomers will be used to see what types of aggregates will be formed from theses block copolymers. The aggregates that will be formed are micelles, rods, and vesicles. After the synthesis of these aggregate, they will be studied to see their interaction with cancer cells and their uptake ability. From this research we will be able to improve the efficiency of delivery for various drugs to affected cells.