Development of next-generation polymer-based nanoparticles and elucidating of their in vivo behavior

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15394
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 28030:Nanomaterials-related
• Research Institution: The University of Kitakyushu
• Principal Investigator: Fujii Shota 北九州市立大学, 環境技術研究所, 特任講師 (40794095)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ナノ粒子 / 生体適合性高分子 / 生体内動態 / 高分子鎖形態

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to design of structurally stable nanoparticles that do not rely on self-assembly such as micelles and to elucidate the correlation between their particle structure and in vivo behavior. We have developed core-crosslinked particles and molecular bottlebrush-based nanoparticles as the structurally stable nanoparticles. We have succeeded in developing a technique to control their nanoparticle structure including size, shape, and polymer chain conformations. In addition, the relationship between the polymer chain density on the particle surface and the in vivo fate of the nanoparticle as well as their drug release behavior was clarified. From the results of this research, we established a guideline for the design of nanoparticles in drug delivery systems using nanoparticles, which have attracted attention in the biotechnology field.

Free Research Field

高分子化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ナノ粒子を利用した薬剤送達システムの開発が急務の中、未だに応用に至った薬剤の開発には大きな障壁がある。その最大の原因として、ナノ粒子が生体内において迅速にクリアランスされてしまうことが挙げられる。本研究により、ナノ粒子構造とこのクリアランスの相関関係を解明することができた。この成果により、薬剤送達システムにおけるナノ粒子設計指針を確立することができ、これからの薬剤開発に大きく貢献されることが期待される。