Pluronic Micelles Nano-Carrier Synthesis

The project modified Pluronic F127 (Flakes – ~12600 g/mol – 70% hydrophilic) a.k.a P407 (Poloxamer)¹, figure 1, with an amine terminal, NH₂, which formed an amide bond with CH₃ terminal Rhodamine B Isocyanate². The project used a schlenk line for the controlled vacuum for amination and nitrogen atmosphere for Rhodamine functionalisation. Dialysis was carried out removing excess Rhodamine dye from the reaction. The final solution was freeze-dried before use. Dynamic light scattering measurements of the nano-micelles presented a hydrodynamic size between 20-24nm. The project supported the work published by my previous PhD supervisor’s work, Dr. Andrew Collins³.

The project was part of my PhD at the University of Bristol⁴.

References

1. Merck. (2021) Pluronic F-127 powder. [Accessed 06/10/2021] https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/GB/en/product/sigma/p2443
2. Merck. (2021) Rhodamine B Isocyanate. [Accessed 06/10/2021] https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/GB/en/substance/rhodaminebisothiocyanate5360836877697
3. Singleton, W. G., Collins, A. M., Bienemann, A. S., Killick-Cole, C. L., Haynes, H. R., Asby, D. J., Butts, C. P., Wyatt, M. J., Barua, N. U., & Gill, S. S. (2017). Convection enhanced delivery of panobinostat (LBH589)-loaded pluronic nano-micelles prolongs survival in the F98 rat glioma model. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 12, 1385–1399. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S125300
4. Hockley, M. (2019). Screening Nanoparticle Dynamics on Modular Tumours-on-a-chip devices [University of Bristol]. https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/screening-nanoparticle-dynamics-on-modular-tumours-on-a-chip-devi