Peptide and Protein Interaction with Membrane Systems: Applications to Antimicrobial Therapy and Protein Drug Delivery (Springer Theses)

In her thesis, Sara Bobone outlines spectroscopic studies of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) which are promising lead compounds for drugs used to fight multidrug resistant bacteria. Bobone shows that AMPs interact with liposomes and she clarifies the structure of pores formed by one of these molecules. These results help us to understand how AMPs are selective for bacterial membranes and how their activity can be finely tuned by modifying their sequence. Findings which solve several conundrums debated in the literature for years. In addition, Bobone uses liposomes as nanotemplates for the photopolymerization of hydrogels - exploiting the self- assembly properties of phospholipids. Bobone was able to trap an enzyme using nanometeric particles, while still allowing its activity by the diffusion of substrates and products through the network of the polymer. The innovative nano devices described in this thesis could solve many of the hurdles still hampering the therapeutic application of protein-based drugs. In Her Thesis, Sara Bobone Outlines Spectroscopic Studies Of Antimicrobial Peptides (amps) Which Are Promising Lead Compounds For Drugs Used To Fight Multidrug Resistant Bacteria. Bobone Shows That Amps Interact With Liposomes And She Clarifies The Structure Of Pores Formed By One Of These Molecules. These Results Help Us To Understand How Amps Are Selective For Bacterial Membranes And How Their Activity Can Be Finely Tuned By Modifying Their Sequence. Findings Which Solve Several Conundrums Debated In The Literature For Years. In Addition, Bobone Uses Liposomes As Nanotemplates For The Photopolymerization Of Hydrogels - Exploiting The Self- Assembly Properties Of Phospholipids. Bobone Was Able To Trap An Enzyme Using Nanometeric Particles, While Still Allowing Its Activity By The Diffusion Of Substrates And Products Through The Network Of The Polymer. The Innovative Nanodevices Described In This Thesis Could Solve Many Of The Hurdles Still Hampering The Therapeutic Application Of Protein-based Drugs. Overview -- Antimicrobial Peptides: Mechanism Of Action, Selectivity And Biological Activity -- Introduction -- Techniques -- Materials And Methods -- Results And Discussion -- Hydrogel Nanoparticles For Enzyme-based Therapies -- Introduction -- Materials And Methods -- Results And Discussion -- Concluding Remarks. By Sara Bobone. Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Introduction....Pages 3-10 Techniques....Pages 11-17 Materials and Methods....Pages 19-27 Results and Discussion....Pages 29-90 Front Matter....Pages 91-91 Introduction....Pages 93-102 Materials and Methods....Pages 103-110 Results and Discussion....Pages 111-133 Back Matter....Pages 135-140