Bianca MenchicchiUniversity of Münster Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology Nanotechnology Group Schlossgarten 3 48149 Münster Germany |
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| Email: Net: |
menchicc@uni-muenster.de www.uni-muenster.de/Biologie.IBBP/aggoycoolea/index.html |
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Development of mucoadhesive nanoplatforms for stomach local therapy targeted to Helicobacter pylori
An important requirement for a promising drug delivery nanosystem acting locally against the adhesion of H. pylori, the gram-negative bacteria responsible of chronic gastric infection, is the ability of the materials to interact first with the stomach mucous. The mucoadhesion properties of several known and less conventional polysaccharides (e.g. chitosan, karaya gum, mesquite gum, alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose) are being currently investigated. To this end, a capillary microviscosimetric method is used to probe interaction between polysaccharides and mucin in the dilute regime. DLS, SAXs and ITC techniques are also used to explore in further detail the mechanisms involved in this interaction and the potential of this systems in the rational design of mucin/polysaccharides nanoparticles.
Current advances
Menchicchi/Goycoolea standardized a microviscosimetric method to probe interactions of mucin with polysaccharides varying type and charge, chain flexibility and molecular weight. On doing so, also nanoparticles of chitosan-mucin can be harnessed.
Ongoing studies are addressing the role of the specific glycosylation of mucin (col. Mormann, Hensel) in the interaction with chitosans. These studies will guide the design of nanoparticles with capacity to interfere with H. pylori adhesion towards potential new therapeutic approaches (col. Hensel).
Last update 17.04.2013
