Complex Coacervate Core Micelles
We study how complex micelles can be engineered as smart materials for biomedical applications. Our work focuses on a large and versatile class of micelles called Complex Coacervate Core Micelles (C3Ms). These micelles form when charged molecules come together through electrostatic interactions. Their core can be built from many different covalent or non-covalent structures, while the outside is typically a neutral, hydrophilic layer formed by part of the block copolymer (often a PEG-based chain).
Because the high degree of flexibility in the formation of C3Ms, they offer great potential for biomedical use. In our group, we investigate how they can function as diagnostic imaging agents or as carriers that deliver drugs in a controlled way. We study the supramolecular interactions that allow these micelles to respond to external triggers, such as changes in pH or temperature.
Dendrimicelles
The micelle core can also be made from charged dendrimers, giving rise to dendrimicelles. These structures allow us to create nested “box-in-a-box” systems, for example by synthesising metallic nanoparticles inside the dendrimers. This opens new research avenues in areas such as morphology and catalysis. If the dendrimers inside dendrimicelles are crosslinked, they form well-defined superstructures known as dendroids. We are exploring the properties and potential applications of this emerging class of materials.