Dendritic molecules - dendrimers and dendrons - are hyperbranched macromolecules, composed of monomers associated radially from a central core. Due to their repetitive structure, dendritic molecules can be considered as polymers, but in contrast to polymers, they are never synthesized by polymerization reactions, but step-by-step in an iterative fashion, creating layers.
Dendrimers are widely used in different fields of science and technology, such as catalysis, materials chemistry and regenerative and cell biology. In particular, the last direction is highly emerging, since new innovative therapeutics are now required for modern medicine, with dendrimer exhibiting a number of prospective properties. When modified with hydrophobic moieties, dendrimers and dendrons can form supramolecular associates in water media. This is very useful for the delivery of poorly bioavailable bioactive molecules into cells.
The goal of the project is to develop novel dendrimer-based biomaterials for drug delivery and translational medicine.
The objectives of the project are:
1. Overall training – Trainings to make the Fellow a highly skilled independent researcher with a strong knowledge base
2. Multifunctional dendrimers and dendrons – Development of strategies to obtain dendritic systems bearing different functional groups
3. Self-organization of dendritic molecules – Study of the formation of supramolecular assemblies by the multifunctional dendrons/dendrimers.
4. Drug binding – Study of the drug complexation with cationic dendrimers and with the dendron-based supramolecular assemblies.
5. Biological effect – Screening of the biological properties of formulations obtained
6. Industrial application – Harmonizing the developments made and products obtained with industrial requirements for easier transfer into practice.
These objectives have been fully accomplished. The results obtained bring new, highly efficient therapeutic constructions for antitumor therapy. Furthermore, the project has set a background for future developments in the field, including production of novel therapeutics.
