Holistic assessment of covalently labeled core-shell polymeric nanoparticles with fluorescent contrast agents for theranostic applications.

ABSTRACT: The successful development of degradable polymeric nanostructures as optical probes for use in nanotheranostic applications requires the intelligent design of materials such that their surface response, degradation, drug delivery, and imaging properties are all optimized. In the case of imaging, optimization must result in materials that allow differentiation between unbound optical contrast agents and labeled polymeric materials as they undergo degradation. In this study, we have shown that use of traditional electrophoretic gel-plate assays for the determination of the purity of dye-conjugated degradable nanoparticles is limited by polymer degradation characteristics. To overcome these limitations, we have outlined a holistic approach to evaluating dye and peptide-polymer nanoparticle co

SUBMITTER: Gustafson TP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3933954 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature