Glucan particles (GPs) are hollow, porous glucan shells extracted from Baker's yeast. Due to their composition there is efficient receptor-mediated particle uptake by cells expressing glucan receptors. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are materials synthesized from tetraorthosilicate reacting on a template to produce particles with pores. A model combined GP/MSN drug delivery system was developed using the drug Doxorubicin (Dox) and the antibiotic Rifampicin (Rif). The GP/MSN system benefits from the macrophage targeting capabilities of GPs and small drug molecule binding capacity of MSNs. GP/MSN-Rif complexes were studied for their effect on inhibiting E. coli growth. GP/MSN-Dox complexes were evaluated for Dox delivery and growth arrest of the model murine cell line.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Kut, Lindsey Catherine
• Caras, Abaigeal C

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042711-125810

Advisor

• Heilman, Destin

Year

• 2011

Sponsor

• UMass Medical School

Date created

• 2011-04-27

Location

• Worcester

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry
• Chemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright