This project is synthesizing and validating nanoparticles suitable for delivery of small molecules. We aim to synthesize hybrid polymerized liposomal nanoparticle (PLNs) of uniform size with surface modifications that render them extremely biocompatible, non-immunogenic, and amenable to cellular binding and uptake, suitable for drug delivery.
In addition, we are targeting nanoparticles to tumor cells with CD99 specific peptides. We seek to target these HPLNs to tumor cells while sparing normal tissue, using a novel surface affinity reagent developed at USC by Prof. Roberts. We propose to develop a unique targeting technology based on a human peptides that bind CD99. This technology uses rapid generation of peptides with randomly altered sequence variation that mimics antigen-antibody binding. With each generation, derivatized peptides are chosen with increasing affinity for the target of interest, until those with the greatest affinity are selected.
