Interaction of magnetic nanoparticles with polymersomes for use as multimodal nanocarriers

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are extensively used targets for drugs to help with early detection and the treatment of disease. However, drug targeting with MNPs in a specific site within the body is quite challenging to achieve. In these situations, pH-responsive polymersomes can provide an effective dual targeting opportunity by hosting both MNPs on their membrane and drugs in the core. Therefore, the overarching objective of this research is to develop pH-sensitive polymersome that interacts with Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs), intended for potential applications. SPIONs were chosen as magnetic nanoparticles since they have good biocompatibility. We hypothesize that, in an acidic environment, increased permeability of pH-sensitive polymersomes induces controlled release from the core; meanwhile guiding with MNPs makes these structures a multimodal tool. In our first aim, we will synthesize SPIONs with average sizes of 10-15 nm using the co-precipitation method. These SPIONs will be stabilized with β-Cyclodextrin. Following that, Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG), 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) and Ferrocene units will form the multimodal polymeric nanocarrier system. After polymersome formation, SPIONs will be introduced to the system, aiming for interaction with the exterior of the polymersome membrane facilitated by the complexation of ferrocene and Beta-Cyclodextrin. Our second aim involves conducting a morphological analysis of these multimodal nanocarriers to ensure their integrity and assess the success of the interaction. The ultimate prospective of this study is to utilize these multimodal nanocarriers for image-guided applications, potentially extending their use to drug loading in future studies.