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Metal Coated Colloidosomes as Carriers for an Antibiotic.
Qian Sun1, Ziyan Zhao2, Elizabeth A H Hall2
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, BP Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Chemistry
|June 19, 2018
Summary
Gold or silver coated colloidosomes effectively encapsulate kanamycin for targeted drug delivery. Ultrasound triggers release, killing bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli), with gold shells showing higher drug loading capacity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Colloidosomes are versatile polymer microcapsules for drug delivery.
- Traditional capsules suffer from drug leakage due to porosity.
- Developing impermeable capsules is crucial for effective drug encapsulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop impermeable colloidosomes for enhanced antibiotic encapsulation.
- To investigate the efficacy of metal-coated colloidosomes against Escherichia coli (E. coli).
- To compare the performance of gold and silver coated colloidosomes.
Main Methods:
- Synthesizing gold and silver coated colloidosomes.
- Encapsulating the antibiotic kanamycin within the colloidosomes.
- Utilizing ultrasound to trigger drug release.
- Testing the antimicrobial activity against E. coli.
Main Results:
- Metal-coated colloidosomes demonstrated impermeability, preventing drug diffusion.
- Ultrasound successfully triggered the release of kanamycin and metal shell fragments.
- Both gold and silver coated colloidosomes exhibited toxicity to E. coli.
- Gold coated colloidosomes exhibited a higher kanamycin loading capacity.
Conclusions:
- Metal-coated colloidosomes offer a promising platform for targeted antibiotic delivery.
- The combination of antibiotic release and metal shell fragments enhances bacterial killing.
- Gold coated colloidosomes present superior drug loading capabilities for enhanced therapeutic potential.
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