SOFT POLYMERSOMES FOR INTRACELLULAR DRUG DELIVERY

Polymersomes are widely used as drug delivery system however they have shortcomings in drug-eluting properties that are attributable to the high molecular weight of the copolymers forming their membrane. Here we demonstrate how novel class of polymersomes from very short, liquid to soft star-shaped copolymers can be empowered to form an efficient drug delivery system. Soft copolymers undergo self-assembly in water into a stable, nano-sized rod or a spherical shape polymersomes. Increasing the Mw of the hydrophobic moieties the CMC value is decreased accompanied with the tendency to form a more spherical structure. These nano system’s tailorable properties, biocompatibility and ability to incorporate hydrophobic drugs and release them intracellularly in a sustained release manner are desirable traits for drug delivery and other biomedical applications.