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Soft Supramolecular Nanoparticles by Noncovalent and Host-Guest Interactions
Carmen Stoffelen1, Jurriaan Huskens1
1Molecular Nanofabrication Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. BOX 217, 7500, AE, Enschede, The Netherlands.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|November 20, 2015
Summary
This review explores soft supramolecular nanoparticles, self-assembled using noncovalent interactions. These engineered nanoparticles show promise for advanced molecular diagnostics and therapeutics in biological systems.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Supramolecular chemistry enables the creation of ordered structures via noncovalent interactions.
- Soft supramolecular nanoparticles are nanoassemblies built from small units, stabilized by noncovalent or host-guest interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current methods for forming supramolecular nanoparticles.
- To focus on host-guest interactions in nanoparticle assembly.
- To highlight applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Categorization of assembly approaches based on stabilizing supramolecular interactions.
- Analysis of factors influencing nanoparticle structure.
- Review of applications in molecular diagnostics and therapeutics.
Main Results:
- Overview of diverse noncovalent interactions for nanoparticle formation.
- Emphasis on host-guest complexation as a key assembly strategy.
- Discussion of nanostructures as potential diagnostic and therapeutic vectors.
Conclusions:
- Supramolecular nanoparticles offer stable yet reversible assembly.
- Chemical flexibility facilitates the design of complex nanoparticles.
- These nanoparticles are compatible with biological systems, promising for advanced applications.
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