Controlled Release of Encapsulated Materials Using Gold-Coated Liposome Nanoparticles

University of Arizona
posted on 04/24/2009

Background: The aqueous cores of liposomes are ideal for encapsulation and delivery. Hence, liposomes have undergone considerable R&D for controlled delivery of drugs, vaccines, or enzymes. This includes manipulating the metastable character of liposomes so that leakage (e.g., drug delivery) results from specific stimuli, such as pH or temperature. Researchers at The University of Arizona Department of Biomedical Engineering are developing a new approach that uses biodegradable, plasmon resonant, gold-coated liposomes (i.e., nanoparticles), to enable near-infrared light controlled-release of encapsulated materials from thermosensitive liposomes.

Applications:
* Controlled release of encapsulated materials.
* Imaging.
* High-throughput testing.
* Potential for use in medical applications, such as diagnostic tests and therapeutic interventions.
* Transfection or delivery of siRNA.

Advantages:
* Biodegradable, compatible with renal clearance.
* Activated in near-infrared.

Stage of Development: The gold-coated liposomes are approximately 125-nm in diameter. These plasmon resonant nanoparticles release encapsulated materials from their aqueous core when exposed to light of the correct wavelength. In addition, exposure to a surfactant or enzymes degrades the nanoparticles into small fragments which are compatible with renal clearance. Experimental data have proven the concept of controlled release of encapsulated material from gold-coated liposomes, containing the dye fluorescein. The plasmon resonance band was tuned to match Nd:YAG laser illumination in the near-infrared (1064nm) leading to rapid release of the encapsulated fluorescein dye under laser irradiation (see Adv. Mater., 2009, 21). Work is continuing. FDA approval will be required.

Lead Inventors: Prof. Marek Romanowski and Timothy S. Troutman, Ph.D.

Status: Provisional patent application filed; seeking commercial partner to license.

Refer to Case No. UA08-106

Advantages

* Biodegradable, compatible with renal clearance * Activated in near-infrared

Innovation Details

Detailed Description

Background: The aqueous cores of liposomes are ideal for encapsulation and delivery. Hence, liposomes have undergone considerable R&D for controlled delivery of drugs, vaccines, or enzymes. This includes manipulating the metastable character of liposomes so that leakage (e.g., drug delivery) results from specific stimuli, such as pH or temperature. Researchers at The University of Arizona Department of Biomedical Engineering are developing a new approach that uses biodegradable, plasmon resonant, gold-coated liposomes (i.e., nanoparticles), to enable near-infrared light controlled-release of encapsulated materials from thermosensitive liposomes. Stage of Development: The gold-coated liposomes are approximately 125-nm in diameter. These plasmon resonant nanoparticles release encapsulated materials from their aqueous core when exposed to light of the correct wavelength. In addition, exposure to a surfactant or enzymes degrades the nanoparticles into small fragments which are compatible with renal clearance. Experimental data have proven the concept of controlled release of encapsulated material from gold-coated liposomes, containing the dye fluorescein. The plasmon resonance band was tuned to match Nd:YAG laser illumination in the near-infrared (1064nm) leading to rapid release of the encapsulated fluorescein dye under laser irradiation (see Adv. Mater., 2009, 21). Work is continuing. FDA approval will be required.

File Number: UA08-106

Other Information: * Refer to: Case # UA08-106 * Lead Innovator: Dr. Marek Romanowski * Case Manager: Robin Richards rrichards@ott.arizona.edu

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