Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles for Target Organelle Specific Labeling and Drug Delivery – IP 1502

Labeling and monitoring of biological substances andactivities in live cells are crucial for understanding complex biological systemsand can permit development of biological/biomedical sensors or therapeuticmeans for various diseases. Some techniques employ small fluorescent moleculesfor labeling and sensing cellular substances.Unfortunately, since these small molecular weight compounds often enterthe cells through passive diffusion mechanisms, high concentrations arerequired, increasing the likeliness of non-specific labeling and cellulartoxicity. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) can improve the limitation ofconcentration of small molecules; however, due to their high molecular weights,these nanoparticles are inefficient for labeling intracellular molecules andorganelles. Researchers at FIU have been able to combine theintracellular targeting advantages of both small molecules and nanoparticles bycreating conjugated polymer nanoparticles comprisingpoly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPEs) having a flexible linker between a portionof phenylene units. The flexible linkers can be sites for biodegradability ofthe PPEs into relatively small oligomers. The polymers can be tailored to aspecific application through the modulation of their physical, biological andoptical properties by structural modifications of the rigid conjugated backboneand the pendant sidechains. Anne Laure Schmitt Olivier aschmitt@fiu.edu 305-348-5948