Presentation day

Thursday  4:40 PM

 

TITLE

Lipid self-assembly nanoparticles as theranostic drug delivery and medical imaging agents

 

Abstract

Lipid self-assembly nanoparticles, alternatively known as colloidal lyotropic liquid
crystalline dispersions, are increasingly being investigated and applied as both drug delivery and medical
imaging agents. In this presentation the basic concepts for controlling the nature of the internal structure of
nanoparticles by tuning the self-assembly properties of small molecule amphiphiles (including lipids) will be
covered. Theranostics is an exciting emerging area for this nanoparticulate materials class, and the types
of therapeutic compounds and medical imaging agents that can be incorporated, as well as their methods
of preparation, will be described. The stabilisation and biocompatibility of the colloidal dispersions will also
be discussed. Finally a demonstrated approach for lesion-specific active targeting will be presented.
Exploiting such a multi-functional drug delivery platform is of relevance to not only the next generation
delivery of bioactive molecules but also in the creation of new diagnostic tools.