title: Microscopical characterization of nanocapsules templated on ionic crystals and biological cells toward biomedical applications.
abstract: Nanocapsules, fuzzy assemblies of polyelectrolyte, represent a comparatively new class of colloids with controlled nanostructure and tunable properties. Due to the fact that the core as well as the dissolution influences the wall texture and the properties of the hollow capsules, the use of carbonate crystals as template is most convenient. Yeast cells constitute as a core candidate as well. They are a good system for testing the protective ability of shells and the permeability of the walls with respect to the needs of biological systems, namely, feeding and stability against attacks. The main features of the nanocapsules have been studied by two-photon, confocal, and atomic force microscopy. Nanocapsules are of biomedical interest because they can be used, for example, for the controlled release and targeting of drugs as well as for the protection of enzymes, proteins, and foreign cells.
authors.affiliation: INFM, University of Genoa, 16146 Genoa, Italy. diaspro@fisica.unige.it
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diaspro
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krol
authors.forename: Omella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cavalleri
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Silvano
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gliozzi
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D007477:Ions; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010539:Permeability; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007477:Ions