Term of Award
Spring 2021
Degree Name
Master of Science in Applied Physical Science (M.S.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Committee Chair
James Carter
Committee Member 1
William Irby
Committee Member 2
Michele McGibony
Committee Member 3
Amanda White
Abstract
Recently, nanoparticles have become an origin of exploration in the chemistry field due to their unique medical uses. The current drug delivery models of nanoparticles often include a metal base with a drug conjugated to its surface. However this raises concerns regarding toxicity. A novel approach to solving this dilemma is the development of nanosized biocompatible polymer-based micelles, created from PEG-PCL-PEG triblock polymer, and formed around a drug of choice. The goal is to create a drug carrier nanoparticle system that is labile at a specific intracellular pH, without undue toxicity to the cell. This creates a drug-loaded nanoparticle that dissociates when exposed to a pH of 5.4, thus releasing the drug at the targeted location in the cell, the late endosome. Using polymer micelles as a drug-carrier allows scientists to control the destination of the drug, while creating stand-alone units that can be combined to reach the desired concentration. The molecules ribavirin, Nile red and 6-azauridine were drug-loaded and analyzed to ensure encapsulation then released at a pH of 5.4. The nanoparticles had an average diameter before dissociation of 63.44, 84.73 and 55.25 nm respectively. By utilizing this drug delivery system we are able to target specific intracellular pH values that are known to occur around landmarks of the cell and thus can manipulate drug release accordingly. The drug delivery system that is described in this thesis is designed and analyzed for its future potential to target and successfully suppress Flaviviridae viruses, such as dengue and Zika virus.
OCLC Number
1253368036
Catalog Permalink
https://galileo-georgiasouthern.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01GALI_GASOUTH/1r4bu70/alma9916444750502950
Recommended Citation
Blahove, Maria R., "Design, Synthesis and Applications of Nanoparticles in Suppression of Mosquito-born Flaviviridae Viruses" (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2236.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/2236
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
