Theme 3.1:  Structural characterization of molecules and supramolecular complexes

Nanosystems

Structure & interaction studies

Au NF-NB SPION-PEG-scFv-siRNA-Cy5.5 SPION-PEG-miR Liposomes-scFv-Met-Dox
(U)HPLC HIC study of
ADC Adcetris		 Raman study of
protein conformation		 SERS study of
DOX-Fe2+ complex		 Fluorescence study of
DOX in peptidic nanofibers
(M. Soucé, unpublished) (Ducel et al. 2006) (Gauthier et al. 2013) (Del Genio et al. 2022)

Objectives

Summary

This theme deals with properties (structure, conformation, ionisation state) of drugs and other molecules of pharmaceutical interest (polymers, lipids, …) and aims at understanding of fundamental mechanisms of molecular interactions in various contexts (in pharmaceutical formulations, in nanostructures, in biological matrix, etc.).

To find these informations, we apply to complementary use of a range of analytical techniques, spectroscopic (Raman, surface-enhanced Raman – SERS, IR, fluorescence, UV-vis) and chromatographic (UHPLC SEC, UHPLC HIC, Capillary electrophoresis – CE).

For instance, we have experience in protein structural analysis by Raman spectroscopy – this technique is able to provide the informations on the conformation, i.e. the ratio between alpha-helical, beta-sheet and random coil fractions of the amide bonds (Amide I zone located near 1650 cm-1) as well as the spatial conformation of the S-S bonds (band around 530 cm-1).

An other exemple is the molecular interactions of doxorubicine anticancer drug, within nanovectors where it is bound to the surface of iron oxide core (DOX-Fe2+ complex) or with autoassembled peptidic nanofibers. We have studied these interactions by means of SERS and fluorescence, respectively.

As for separation techniques, our expertise can be illustrated by characterization of an ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) in terms of DAR (drug/antibody ratio).

Some recent projects

PhD thesis of Valentina Del Genio

Keywords