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Polymeric nanoparticles have shown great promise in the field of drug delivery and other biomedical applications. However, these systems suffer generally from poor drug incorporation as well as uncontrolled (burst) drug release profiles. We investigate the ability to improve drug incorporation and sustained drug release from these systems by functionalization of polymers with a library of hydrophilic-hydrophobic substitutions. In addition, we focus on the synthesis of new polymers and evaluate their potential as controlled release matrices for both low and high molecular weight drugs.
  
Cancer is the leading cause of death in the world; a fact combined with the ineffective eradication of tumors by cytotoxic drugs alone, prompted to new therapeutic strategies combining chemotherapy with adjunctive treatments such as hyperthermia. We investigate the potential of combined chemotherapy and hyperthermia against tumors by developing polymeric nanoparticles loaded with potent anti-cancer drugs and targeting them to “heated” tumors. In comparison to “conventional” nanoparticles, stimuli-responsive systems such as thermo-responsive polymers proved to enable better control over drug release, selective cellular uptake and tumor targeting. Collaborative projects encompass the utilization of gold nanoparticles as nano-heaters by taking advantage of their surface plasmon resonance properties.