Chemistry and Physic of multiphase systems
Expertise
The CPMS team focuses its research activities on systems formed by lipids and other amphiphilic compounds, the study of their structure-property relationships and the development of their applications, mainly in biomedical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic fields or food industry.
MAIN SPECIFICITES :
- Phase diagram studies. Domains of existence and identification of stable or metastable structures formed from complex mixtures of lipids, surfactants, cyclodextrins, biological molecules (proteins, nucleotides), active substances, metal oxides (...)
- Lyotropic and thermotropic behaviours. Polymorphism – Molecular interactions– Phase transition kinetics – Mechanisms of supramolecular assembling.
- Artificial or reconstituted organized systems from simple or complex mixtures of lipids constituting cell membranes. Action of exogenous substances on these membrane models – Micelle-to-vesicle transition.
- Technology of liposomes and other lipid-based particles. Preparation and morphological characterisation of nanoscale objects such as vesicles, nano-emulsions, solid or semi-solid nano-particles, cubosomes or other ISAsomes– Stabilization by hydrophilic polymers and “stealth” properties – Bioconjugates and active targeting –Incorporation or encapsulation of active substances – Ultrasonication – Extrusion – Homogenization.
- Techniques. Steric exclusion chromatography applied to colloids – UV-visible and fluorescence spectrophotometry – Static light scattering (turbidimetry) and dynamic light scattering - Refractometry – Specific volume measurement – Optical microscopy – Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) – Use of technical platforms [confocal microscopy (IPSIT), electron microscopy (IFR 83-UPMC), MRI-PRIMEX (Angers), ESR (UMR8601 Paris V)].
- Large scientific equipment. Access through selected projects [Synchrotrons: SOLEIL, ESRF, ELETTRA, ASTRID; accelerator-based neutron sources: LLB, ILL, MRI: NeuroSpin, TGIR for high-field NMR].
- X-ray scattering/diffraction coupled to differential microcalorimetry. Expertise in structural analysis of supramolecular assemblies at small and wide scattering angles. The PCSP team developed an original instrument referred to as MICROCALIX in order to perform X-ray diffraction measurements and time-resolved differential scanning calorimetry simultaneously on a single sample. This instrument can be used with either conventional X-ray source devices in laboratory installations or with synchrotron radiation.
- Biological evaluation of delivery systems Interactions with plasma proteins, living biological cells in culture media, pharmacokinetics and biodistribution, in vivo evaluation of anticancer or anti-infectious activity of drug formulations.