LBL POLYMER CAPSULES

We fabricate polymer capsules via the layer-by-layer approach, which has emerged as a promising method to develop biomedical systems owing to their versatility and possibility to control important parameters of the resulting capsules, including their morphology, size and surface chemistry. Besides, a wide variety of therapeutic agents can be incorporated in these entities, either in their core or in the polymeric membrane, giving rise to multifunctional capsules that can respond to relevant physiological stimuli.

IN VITRO MODELS

The therapeutic potential of micro- and nanocapsules is assessed in validated in vitro models. For example, the capacity of the capsules to scavenge reactive oxygen species and attenuate the expression of major proteolytic enzymes was tested in an in vitro model of intervertebral disc degeneration. We are currently developing a transwell blood-brain barrier model to evaluate the capacity of our capsules and other polymer-based nanoformulations to cross this biological barrier and target various neuropathologies. This latest project is funded by “The Guipuzkoa Provincial Council” within the call “Enfermedades severas”, where we will develop novel polymeric nanoentities and in vitro models to target glioblastoma.