Biomolecular Nanoparticle Assemblies

Due to their scale, nanoparticles have great potential to treat and diagnose of diseases. Despite early promise, few nanoparticle treatments have made it past the trial phase and into the clinic. This is partially due to our lacuna of knowledge on the interactions of nanoparticles with biomolecules such as proteins and our lack of control over nanoparticle physicochemical properties following administration. This thesis attempts to address both concerns by studying nanoparticle assemblies formed with biomolecules. We begin by studying the complexes formed between sub-10 nm nanoparticles and proteins to determine which component acts as the carrier and how that affects the complexes’ biological interactions. We then apply this knowledge to design nanoparticle assemblies connected by nucleic acids that can change shape in response to biological stimuli. This research provides a foundation for new nanoparticle designs that can overcome the biological barriers that have so far frustrated the field of nanomedicine.M.Sc