title: Large molecular aggregates: From atmospheric aerosols to drug nanoparticles.
abstract: Large molecular aggregates with sizes ranging from subnanometers to microns are ubiquitous. As atmospheric aerosols they influence our climate, in interstellar space they are discussed as reactive sites, and in medicine small particles are considered as promising candidates to achieve a targeted drug delivery. The present contribution is focused on the characterization of the physical-chemical properties of these particles and on their targeted generation. One of the greatest challenges is to understand the properties of these aggregates on a molecular level. The latter point is discussed in detail focussing on the vibrational dynamics of these particles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z1.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Firanescu
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hermsdorf
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ueberschaer
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Signorell
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000737:chemistry*; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D004337:Drug Carriers; D046911:Macromolecular Substances