Novel biocompatible hydrogel nanoparticles: generation and size-tuning of nanoparticles by the formation of micelle templates obtained from thermo-responsive monomers mixtures

Raz Khandadash, Victoria Machtey, Inbal Shainer, Hugo E. Gottlieb, Yoav Gothilf, Yuval Ebenstein, Aryeh Weiss, Gerardo Byk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Biocompatible hydrogel nanoparticles are prepared by polymerization and cross-linking of N-isopropyl acrylamide in a micelle template formed by block copolymers macro-monomers at high temperature. Different monomer ratios form, at high temperature, well-defined micelles of different sizes which are further polymerized leading to nanoparticles with varied sizes from 20 to 390 nm. Physico-chemical characterization of the nanoparticles demonstrates their composition and homogeneity. The NPs were tested in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility assays, and their lack of toxicity was proven. The NPs can be labeled with fluorescent probes, and their intracellular fate can be visualized and quantified using confocal microscopy. Their uptake by live stem cells and distribution in whole developing animals is reported. On the basis of our results, a mechanism of nanoparticle formation is suggested. The lack of toxicity makes these nanoparticles especially attractive for biological applications such as screening and bio-sensing.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2796
JournalJournal of Nanoparticle Research
Volume16
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2014

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Keywords

  • Cellular tracking
  • N-isopropyl-acrylamide
  • Polyethylene oxide
  • Self-assembly
  • Thermo-responsive material
  • Toxicity of nanoparticles

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