engleski

Development of a new generation of drug delivery systems: algal ghosts

Seeking a physiologically relevant membrane model from aquatic systems that would closely mimic the cell membrane, and in such a way to link the ocean and human health, is a highly competitive field for pharmaceutical companies [1, 2]. Possibilities for exploitation of isolated algal ghost membranes have not been explored. Unicellular green flagellate algae of the genus Dunaliella are widespread in marine and freshwater systems. The lack of a rigid cell wall, leaving only a glycocalyx-type cell envelope, enables the use of Dunaliella species as model organisms for osmoregulation studies, toxicity assays [3], and for the isolation of plasma membrane vesicles. It will be presented protocol for isolating ghost plasma membrane vesicles from the unicellular alga Dunaliella tertiolecta, and preliminary characterization of their structural features and permeability properties, with comparisons to giant unilamellar phospholipid vesicles [4]. Expanded knowledge of this unique membrane system would contribute to the design of marine bio-inspired carriers for advanced biotechnological applications. References: 1. A. Martins, H. Vieira, H. Gaspar, S. Santos, Mar. Drugs, 12 (2014) 1066-1101. 2. B. David, J. L. Wolfender, D. A. Dias, Phytochem. Rev., 14 (2015) 299-315. 3. J. E. Ben-Amotz, W. Polle, D. V. Subba Rao, The Alga Dunaliella Biodiversity, Physiology, Genomics and Biotechnology, Science Publishers, New Hampshire, US, 2009. 4. N. Ivošević DeNardis, G. Pletikapić, R. Frkanec, L. Horvat, P.T.Vernier, Bioelectrochemistry (2019) under review.

algal cell ; ghost vesicle ; marine inspired carriers ; permeability

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