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Phospholipid Bilayers: Stability and Encapsulation of Nanoparticles.
Elnaz Alipour1, Duncan Halverson1, Samantha McWhirter1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada; email: ealipour@chem.utoronto.ca , dhalvers@chem.utoronto.ca , samantha.mcwhirter@mail.utoronto.ca , gwalker@chem.utoronto.ca.
Annual Review of Physical Chemistry
|March 17, 2017
Summary
This review explores phospholipid nanoparticles for medical applications. We summarize empirical findings and theoretical insights to guide the design of effective drug delivery systems that cross biological membranes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Nanoparticles show promise in medical diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Phospholipid vesicles are nature's carriers, inspiring drug delivery research.
- Understanding nanoparticle-biomembrane interactions is crucial for efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review empirical discoveries in phospholipid nanoparticle synthesis and encapsulation.
- To connect these findings with theoretical understanding of hydrophobicity and bilayer formation.
- To outline how modern theory can guide the design of functional nanoparticles for membrane crossing.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of empirical guideposts in nanoparticle preparation.
- Analysis of theoretical frameworks related to physical chemistry of phospholipids.
- Synthesis of current understanding to inform future nanoparticle design.
Main Results:
- Empirical data reveals key factors in phospholipid nanoparticle formation.
- Hydrophobicity plays a critical role in bilayer stability and encapsulation.
- Theoretical models are emerging to predict and optimize nanoparticle behavior.
Conclusions:
- Bridging empirical and theoretical knowledge is essential for advancing nanoparticle drug delivery.
- Phospholipid-based nanoparticles offer a promising platform for targeted therapeutics.
- Future research should focus on leveraging theoretical insights for designing nanoparticles with enhanced biological membrane penetration.
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