Cubosome lipid nanocarriers for delivery of ultra-short antimicrobial peptides.

Hypothesis: Although antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising class of new antibiotics, their inherent susceptibility to degradation requires nanocarrier-mediated delivery. While cubosome nanocarriers have been extensively studied for delivery of AMPs, we do not currently understand why cubosome encapsulation improves antimicrobial efficacy for some compounds but not others. This study therefore aims to investigate the link between the mechanism of action and permeation efficiency of the peptides, their encapsulation efficacy, and the antimicrobial activity of these systems.

Cell interactions with lipid nanoparticles possessing different internal nanostructures: Liposomes, bicontinuous cubosomes, hexosomes, and discontinuous micellar cubosomes.

Hypothesis: Lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LLCNPs) with complex internal nanostructures hold promise for drug delivery. Cubosomes, in particular, have garnered interest for their ability to fuse with cell membranes, potentially bypassing endosomal escape challenges and improving cellular uptake. The mesostructure of nanoparticles plays a crucial role in cellular interactions and uptake.

Controlling the pH dependent transition between monoolein Fd3m micellar cubosomes and hexosomes using fatty acetate and fatty acid additive mixtures.

Hypothesis: Cubosomes made from the inverse micellar cubic mesophase (I) with Fd3m symmetry possess a unique structure of closely packed inverse micelles. These have prospective functionality in sustained drug release. In this study, we hypothesised that similar to fatty acids, various fatty acetate compounds can induce the formation of micellar Fd3m cubosomes in monoolein (MO) nanoparticles.