Nanoemulsões catiônicas têm sido consideradas como potenciais sistemas carreadores para oligonucleotídeos (ON) antisenso. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi desenvolver nanoemulsões catiônicas como um sistema de liberação para ON anti-topoisomerase II de Plasmodium falciparum. Primeiramente, nanoemulsões constituídas de triglicerídeos de cadeia média, lecitina de gema de ovo, glicerol e água contendo os lipídeos catiônicos oleilamina ou DOTAP (2 mM) foram obtidas através do procedimento de emulsificação espontânea. Este procedimento resultou em formulações monodispersas com diâmetro de gotícula de 200-260 nm e potencial zeta de +50 e +55 mV. Após, um método espectrofotométrico no UV para quantificação dos ON em série fosfodiéster (PO) ou fosforotioato (PS) foi validado. O método mostrou-se linear, específico, preciso e exato para a determinação de PO e PS, sem diferenças significativas entre os ON. Nas condições validadas, as isotermas de adsorção dos ON às nanoemulsões foram obtidas através da determinação dos ON na fase aquosa externa das nanoemulsões, após ultrafiltração/centrifugação dos complexos. A taxa de recuperação através das membranas de ultrafiltração de celulose regenerada (30 kDa) foi superior a 92%. Os resultados indicam a adsorção progressiva dos ON com as nanoemulsões, até cerca de 60 mg/g de fase interna para o complexo DOTAP-PS. Finalmente, evidências adicionais da adsorção de PO e PS às nanoemulsões foram detectadas pelo aumento do diâmetro de gotícula, inversão do potencial zeta e morfologia das gotículas avaliada por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. O conjunto dos resultados obtidos demonstra que ON de série PO e PS anti-topoisomerase II de P. falciparum podem ser adsorvidos eficientemente às nanoemulsões catiônicas. / Cationic nanoemulsions have been recently considered as a potential delivery system for antisense oligonucleotides (ON). The aim of the present work was to evaluate cationic nanoemulsions as a delivery system for ON against the Plasmodium falciparum topoisomerase II gene. Firstly, nanoemulsions composed of medium chain triglycerides, egg yolk lecithin, glycerol and water, containing the cationic lipids oleylamine or DOTAP (2 mM) were obtained through spontaneous emulsification process. This procedure resulted in monodisperse formulations with droplet size of 200-260 nm and zeta potential of +50 and +55mV. After that, an UV spectrophotometric method for the quantification of either phosphodiester (PO) or phosphorothioate (PS) ON was validated. The method was linear, specific, precise, and accurate for the determination of PO and PS, without significant differences between both ON. In the validated conditions, ON adsorption isotherms with nanoemulsions were obtained through the ON determination in the external phase of nanoemulsions, after ultrafiltration/centrifugation of complexes. The recovery through regenerated cellulose membranes (30kDa) was higher than 92%. The results showed a progressive ON adsorption to the nanoemulsions up to approximately 60mg/g of internal phase for DOTAP-PS complexes. Finally, additional evidences of PO and PS adsorption to nanoemulsions could also be detected by the increase of the mean droplet size, the inversion of the zeta potential and the morphology of the oil droplets obtained by transmission electron microscopy. The overall results showed that PO and PS ON against P. falciparum anti-topoisomerase II gene can be efficiently adsorbed to the cationic nanoemulsions.

Nanoemulsões catiônicas têm sido consideradas como potenciais sistemas carreadores para oligonucleotídeos (ON) antisenso. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi desenvolver nanoemulsões catiônicas como um sistema de liberação para ON anti-topoisomerase II de Plasmodium falciparum. Primeiramente, nanoemulsões constituídas de triglicerídeos de cadeia média, lecitina de gema de ovo, glicerol e água contendo os lipídeos catiônicos oleilamina ou DOTAP (2 mM) foram obtidas através do procedimento de emulsificação espontânea. Este procedimento resultou em formulações monodispersas com diâmetro de gotícula de 200-260 nm e potencial zeta de +50 e +55 mV. Após, um método espectrofotométrico no UV para quantificação dos ON em série fosfodiéster (PO) ou fosforotioato (PS) foi validado. O método mostrou-se linear, específico, preciso e exato para a determinação de PO e PS, sem diferenças significativas entre os ON. Nas condições validadas, as isotermas de adsorção dos ON às nanoemulsões foram obtidas através da determinação dos ON na fase aquosa externa das nanoemulsões, após ultrafiltração/centrifugação dos complexos. A taxa de recuperação através das membranas de ultrafiltração de celulose regenerada (30 kDa) foi superior a 92%. Os resultados indicam a adsorção progressiva dos ON com as nanoemulsões, até cerca de 60 mg/g de fase interna para o complexo DOTAP-PS. Finalmente, evidências adicionais da adsorção de PO e PS às nanoemulsões foram detectadas pelo aumento do diâmetro de gotícula, inversão do potencial zeta e morfologia das gotículas avaliada por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. O conjunto dos resultados obtidos demonstra que ON de série PO e PS anti-topoisomerase II de P. falciparum podem ser adsorvidos eficientemente às nanoemulsões catiônicas. / Cationic nanoemulsions have been recently considered as a potential delivery system for antisense oligonucleotides (ON). The aim of the present work was to evaluate cationic nanoemulsions as a delivery system for ON against the Plasmodium falciparum topoisomerase II gene. Firstly, nanoemulsions composed of medium chain triglycerides, egg yolk lecithin, glycerol and water, containing the cationic lipids oleylamine or DOTAP (2 mM) were obtained through spontaneous emulsification process. This procedure resulted in monodisperse formulations with droplet size of 200-260 nm and zeta potential of +50 and +55mV. After that, an UV spectrophotometric method for the quantification of either phosphodiester (PO) or phosphorothioate (PS) ON was validated. The method was linear, specific, precise, and accurate for the determination of PO and PS, without significant differences between both ON. In the validated conditions, ON adsorption isotherms with nanoemulsions were obtained through the ON determination in the external phase of nanoemulsions, after ultrafiltration/centrifugation of complexes. The recovery through regenerated cellulose membranes (30kDa) was higher than 92%. The results showed a progressive ON adsorption to the nanoemulsions up to approximately 60mg/g of internal phase for DOTAP-PS complexes. Finally, additional evidences of PO and PS adsorption to nanoemulsions could also be detected by the increase of the mean droplet size, the inversion of the zeta potential and the morphology of the oil droplets obtained by transmission electron microscopy. The overall results showed that PO and PS ON against P. falciparum anti-topoisomerase II gene can be efficiently adsorbed to the cationic nanoemulsions.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) est une bactérie présentant des résistances aux antibiotiques toute particulière. Elle est aujourd’hui largement impliquée dans de nombreuses maladies nosocomiales et dans l’infection de patients immunodéprimés. Les lectines sont des glycoprotéines formant des interactions faibles et réversibles avec les saccharides, et elles sont impliquées dans les mécanismes de protection et de virulence de la bactérie. Afin d’augmenter l’affinité des sucres pour celle-ci nous utilisons la multivalence conduisant à des leurres moléculaires ciblant les lectines I et II de PA. Notre stratégie consiste à synthétiser des glycoclusters conjugués à une étiquette ADN permettant leur criblage par des puces à ADN. Nous décrivons le design, la synthèse et l’assemblage des différents blocs de construction composant les glyco-oligonucléotides en s’appuyant sur la chimie "Click" (CuAAc) et la chimie oligonucléotidique. Le criblage des glyco-oligonucléotides est complété par des études de modélisation moléculaire et par RMN STD. Les meilleurs composés issus du criblage sont synthétisés sans leur étiquette ADN afin d’évaluer leur capacité inhibitrice de la formation du biofilm par PA. / Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a bacteria with a strong resistance to antibiotics.It’s an opportunistic germ involved in nosocomial infections and the infection of immunocompromised patients. Lectins are glycoproteins that bind saccharides reversibly with a low affinity. They are involved in bacteria protection mechanisms and virulence. In order to increase the affinity of saccharides to PA lectins I and II, we used multivalence and synthesized molecular decoys. Our strategy involves the synthesis of glycoclusters conjugated with a DNA tag in order to easily screen them on DNA arrays. We described here the design, the synthesis and the assembly of different building blocks allowing the synthesis of glyco-oligonucleotides,based on "Click" chemistry (CuAAc) and oligonucleotide chemistry. The screening of theglyco-oligonucleotides was completed by studies of molecular modelisation and by STD NMR.The best compounds from the screening were synthesized without the DNA tag in order to evaluate their abilities of inhibiting the biofilm formation of PA.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:51:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 6286736 bytes, checksum: e354da66e718cf4d321aafb79e0de30c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-09-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus have physiological plasticity regarding to the conditions of temperature, pH and salinity of the environments in where they are found, such as: water, soil, polluted environments, among others. Under the environmental aspect, these bacteria have the capacity to produce biosurfactants which put them as potential microorganisms for the application of Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR).Technologies economically viable and of growing acceptance, like MEOR, can receive additional informations from the molecular tools about the microbial behavior. In this context, the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique (FISH) is an important tool for detection of microorganisms present in different samples. This technique allows the detection of microorganisms without the need of cultivation. Oligonucleotide probes complementary to the rRNA can be designed with specificities that range from the species level to the domains level. The aims of this work was to apply the FISH technique to detect bacteria of the genus Bacillus and establish the best combination of parameters which combines specificity and good fluorescence signal intensity of the probes utilized. In this way, it was utilized a specific probe for the genus Bacillus (BAC07) and a universal probe for the Domain Bacteria (EUB338). The in silico analysis revealed that the target sequence of probe BAC07 is found predominantly in bacteria of the genus Bacillus, however the possibility of hybridization of probe BAC07 with another member of class Bacilli was not discarded. The parameters analyzed for the application of the FISH technique and evaluation of the specificity of probe BAC07 were: cell fixation method, formamide concentration added to the hybridization buffer and pretreatment of cells with lysozyme. The combination of parameters that ensured the best signal for the probe EUB338 was: cells fixed in paraformaldehyde solution 4%, hybridization buffer containing 35% formamide, without pretreatment with lysozyme; the best conditions for the probe BAC07 were: cells fixed in paraformaldehyde solution 4%, hybridization buffer containing 40% formamide, without pretreatment with lysozyme. A specific detection of bacteria of the genus Bacillus was achieved by probe BAC07. However, the fluorescence signal intensity was very weak when in comparison to the signal of probe EUB338, thereby, for the utilization of probe BAC07 for detection of Bacillus in environmental samples, an enhanced signal is required. / Bactérias pertencentes ao gênero Bacillus possuem grande plasticidade fisiológica no que se refere às condições de temperatura, pH e salinidade dos ambientes nos quais são encontradas, como: água, solo, ambientes poluídos, entre outros. Sob o aspecto ambiental, possuem a capacidade de produção de biossurfactantes que as colocam como micro-organismos potenciais para aplicação na Recuperação Avançada de Petróleo Melhorada por Micro-organismos (MEOR). Tecnologias economicamente viáveis e de crescente aceitação, como a MEOR, podem receber informações adicionais das ferramentas moleculares acerca do comportamento microbiano. Neste contexto, a técnica de hibridização fluorescente in situ (FISH) apresenta-se como uma importante ferramenta para detecção de microorganismos presentes em diferentes amostras. Trata-se de uma técnica que permite a detecção de micro-organismos sem a necessidade prévia de cultivo. Sondas de oligonucleotídeos complementares ao RNAr podem ser elaboradas com especificidade que varia desde o nível de espécie até o nível de Domínio. Este trabalho teve como objetivos aplicar a técnica de FISH para detectar bactérias do gênero Bacillus e estabelecer a melhor combinação de parâmetros que aliassem especificidade à emissão de um adequado sinal de fluorescência das sondas utilizadas. Desta forma, foram utilizadas uma sonda específica para o gênero Bacillus (BAC07) e uma sonda universal para o Domínio Bacteria (EUB338). A análise in silico revelou que a sequência-alvo da sonda BAC07 é encontrada predominantemente em bactérias do gênero Bacillus, porém não foi descartada a possibilidade de hibridização da sonda BAC07 com outros membros da classe Bacilli. Para aplicação da técnica de FISH e avaliação experimental da especificidade da sonda BAC07, os parâmetros avaliados foram: o método de fixação das células, a concentração de formamida adicionada ao tampão de xi hibridização e o pré-tratamento das células com lisozima. A combinação de parâmetros que garantiu o melhor sinal para a sonda EUB338 foi: células fixadas em solução de paraformaldeído 4%, tampão de hibridização com 35% de formamida, sem pré-tratamento com lisozima; as melhores condições para a sonda BAC07 foram: a fixação das células em solução de paraformaldeído 4%, tampão de hibridização com 40% de formamida e sem pré-tratamento com lisozima. Conseguiu-se uma detecção específica de bactérias do gênero Bacillus pela sonda BAC07. No entanto, o sinal de fluorescência foi muito fraco quando comparado ao sinal da sonda EUB338, de modo que, para utilização da sonda BAC07 para detecção específica de Bacillus em amostras ambientais, o estabelecimento de condições que promovam a intensificação do sinal é requerido.

La thèse intitulée « Zeolites as key-components for electronics and biomedicine » traite de travaux sur des cristaux de zéolite-L avec des tailles et des formes différentes pour des applications dans les domaines de l’électronique et de la biomédecine. Il a été montré que, lorsque les monocouches de zéolites-L sont munies d’un biofilm, elles peuvent être utilisées comme des substrats pour une croissance de longue durée de neurones primaires. De plus, les pores des zéolites peuvent être remplies d’un spécial semi-conducteur organique, pour permettre un transport d’électrons à travers les canaux et, plus important, ces matériaux présentent une très haute magnétorésistance en y appliquant un champ magnétique externe. Enfin, les monocristaux de zéolites-L peuvent être utilisés en tant que plateforme pour un oligo-nucléotide multifonctionnel et l’administration d’un médicament-modèle à l’intérieur de cellules vivantes. Les oligo-nucléotides sont attachés aux particules de la surface externe et le médicament modèle est encapsulé dans les pores. Ces premières expériences-modèles confirment que ces systèmes offrent un grand potentiel dans le domaine de la thérapie génique. En résumé, cette thèse montre que les cristaux de zéolites-L peuvent être appliqués avec succès dans des domaines très variés, de l’électronique à la biomédecine. / The aim of this thesis titled “Zeolites as key-components for electronics and biomedicine” is the synthesis, functionalization and applications of zeolite-L particles for applications in electronics and biomedicine. This thesis is organized into 8 chapters, starting in chapter 1 with giving a general overview about nanotechnology and biomedicine. After that the concept of using nanocontainer in biomedicine are briefly discussed. In the following the nanocontainer zeolite-L is introduced and a summary of zeolite- L for applications in nanomedicine is given. Finally, the self-assembly of zeolites in monolayers and their further functionalization is discussed. Chapter 2 describes the zeolite-L synthesis, functionalization and their assembly into functional materials in detail. Three different types of zeolite-L have been used in this thesis: Nanozeolite-L particles with a size of just a few tenths of nanometers, disc-shaped zeolite-L with a diameter of around 200 nm and micrometer sized crystals with a length of about 1000 nm. Then different methods to functionalize the crystals with the desired groups and to obtain specific properties of the crystals are reported. In detail, the exchange with different counter cations, the insertion of guest molecules and the functionalization of the external crystal surface are reported. Finally the assembly into monolayers and their further functionalization by soft lithography is discussed. [...]

Les biosenseurs basés sur des aptamères quadruplexes comme celui de la thrombine (TBA) recourent souvent à l’élongation de l’aptamère. La flexibilité accrue de l’aptamère-sonde facilite la reconnaissance de la cible et améliore donc sa détection. Or le reploiement des structures quadruplexes est influencé notamment par l’ajout de nucléotides à leur extrémité. Du fait de l’importance de la structure de la sonde pour la reconnaissance, nous avons dans un premier temps comparé le type de reploiement adopté par 2 séquences allongées, GTA GGT TBA et TTT TTT TBA, à celui de TBA et ce en présence de différents cations (Ba2+, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, NH4+, Rb+ et Sr2+). La stabilité thermique de ces structures a aussi été étudiée. Nous avons montré qu’alors que TBA se reploie toujours en un quadruplexe anti-parallèle, les séquences allongées peuvent également adopter une conformation parallèle. Les différences entre les résultats obtenus avec les deux séquences allongées indiquent que, contrairement à ce qui se fait dans la littérature, le choix de ces nucléotides devrait être effectué en fonction de la structure adoptée par la sonde allongée dans les conditions d’interaction envisagées.<p><p>La deuxième partie du travail a porté sur l’interaction entre les aptamères et le [Ru(NH3)6]3+, fréquemment utilisé pour quantifier des sondes ADN immobilisées. Nos mesures mettent en évidence un comportement électrochimique inédit pour le [Ru(NH3)6]3+ en interaction avec les aptamères. La notion de [Ru(NH3)6]3+ « confiné » a été introduite pour distinguer cette interaction du cas purement électrostatique bien connu. La stœchiométrie d’interaction entre le [Ru(NH3)6]3+ confiné et la partie quadruplexe des séquences d’aptamère a été évaluée à 2 complexes métalliques par quadruplexe et confirmée, en solution, par dichroïsme circulaire (CD). Ces mesures montrent aussi que ce marqueur redox déstabilise la structure quadruplexe anti-parallèle de TBA et que pour les séquences GTA GGT TBA et TTT TTT TBA, il stabilise des structures quadruplexes parallèles. Dans le cas des séquences allongées, l’interconversion entre les structures parallèles et anti-parallèles a été suivie par CD lors d’une compétition ionique entre les cations [Ru(NH3)6]3+ et K+.<p><p>Sur base des différentes interactions mises en évidence entre le [Ru(NH3)6]3+ et les aptamères, diverses pistes de détection de la thrombine ont été explorées. Les conditions d’immobilisation des sondes ont été optimisées sur base des dimensions de la thrombine. La détection de cette protéine cible a été réalisée avec succès d’une part en exploitant l’interaction purement électrostatique du [Ru(NH3)6]3+ et d’autre part grâce à la formation de [Ru(NH3)6]3+ confiné.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Ce projet porte sur la synthèse d'oligonucléotides modifiés décorés par des groupements chimiques rappelant les chaines latérales des acides aminés impliqués dans la catalyse enzymatique des protéases à sérine, à savoir l'acide aspartique (Asp), la sérine (Ser) et l'histidine (His) afin d'en mimer l'activité protéolytique. L'approche synthétique de type phosphoramidite a été mise en oeuvre. De ce fait nous avons synthétisé des phosphoramidites fonctionnalisés avec une fonction acide carboxylique rappelant l'Asp, une fonction hydroxyle pour la Ser ou un imidazole pour l'His, correctement protégés pour être ensuite incorporés au sein de séquences oligonucléotidiques, et des phosphoramidites convertibles, qui portent une fonction chimique réactive permettant une conjugaison post synthèse supportée et automatisée de l'oligonucléotide. Ces deux types de phosphoramidites offrent la possibilité de les combiner et donc d'obtenir des séquences hautement fonctionnalisées. Les séquences oligonucléotidiques ont été choisies afin d'apporter un contrôle topologique structurant. Les structures secondaires envisagées sont de type bulge, épingle à cheveux et jonction trois voies car stables grâce aux appariements Watson et Crick entre les bases tout en ayant une flexibilité importante due à la présence de bases non appariées. Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit décrivent la synthèse des phosphoramidites modifiés ainsi que l'incorporation du nucléotide convertible de type alcyne au sein de séquences qui ont été conjuguées par CuAAC, et qui ont permi d'obtenir une jonction trois voies qui a été caractérisée par dichroïsme circulaire, gel de polyacrylamide et par dénaturation thermique. / We are interested in the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides decorated by chemical fonctions mimicking the amino acids side chains involved in enzymatic catalysis of serine proteases, acid aspartic (Asp), serine (Ser) and histidine (His), in order to mimic proteolytic activity. The phosphoramidite synthetic approach was choosen. We synthesised functionnalized phosphoramidites bearing either a carboxylic acid function reminding Asp, a hydroxyle function for Ser or an imidazole for His properly protected for their incorporation in oligonucleotides sequences, and convertible phosphoramidites, bearing a reactive function that permits a conjugation post automated oligonucleotides solid phase synthesis. Oligonucleotides sequences have been choosen in order to have a perfect structural control. The envisaged secondary structures are bulge, hairpin and three way junction because of their stability, thanks to Watson et Crick base pairing, and their flexibility thanks to the unpaired bases. The work presented here regards the synthesis of modified phosphoramidites and their incorporation of the convertible alkyne in sequences then conjugated by CuAAC reaction to form a three way junction whose stability and physico-chemical behavior have been evaluated.

Les ARN interférents sont de puissants outils thérapeutiques et biologiques pour la mise en silence de l'expression des gènes. Afin d'améliorer leur stabilité enzymatique, leur biodistribution et leur pénétration cellulaire, nous proposons de développer une approche prodrogue d'ARN interférent. Ce manuscrit rapporte la synthèse et l'évaluation de pro-ARN masqués temporairement par des groupements biolabiles susceptibles d'être hydrolysés dans les cellules afin de libérer l'ARN naturel actif. Deux types de modifications sont présentés : des groupes acétalesters enlevés par des carboxyestérases et des groupes alkyldithiométhyles sensibles à un environnement réducteur. Dans une première partie, une nouvelle méthode de synthèse de pro-ARN partiellement modifiés en position 2' par des groupements acétalesters est décrite. Plusieurs groupements variant par leur caractère lipophile ou cationique sont évalués. Des résultats prometteurs d'études physico-chimiques, de stabilité enzymatique, de pénétration cellulaire et d'inhibition de gènes mettent en valeur l'intérêt d'utiliser certains pro-ARN modifiés en tant qu'outils thérapeutiques. Une deuxième partie présente une voie de synthèse originale de pro-ARN modifiés en position 2' par des groupements alkyldithiométyles. Les propriétés physico-chimiques, la stabilité enzymatique et le démasquage de ces pro-ARN sont décrits. Parallèlement, l'étude d'une réaction d'échange thiol-disulfure permettant l'incorporation de liens disulfures intrabrin au sein de duplex d'ARN et de constructions tige-boucles est détaillée dans ce manuscrit. / SiRNA are powerful therapeutic and biological tools for gene silencing. In the aim of improving their stability, their biodistribution and their cellular delivery, we propose to develop a siRNA prodrug-like approach.This manuscript reports the synthesis and the study of pro-RNA temporarily masked by biolabile groups which could be hydrolyzed inside cells in order to release the active unmodified RNA. Two types of modifications are presented: acetalester groups removed by carboxyesterases and alkyldithiomethyl groups cleaved in a reducing environment within cells.In a first part, a new synthesis strategy of partially modified 2'-O-acetalester pro-RNA is described. Several acetalester groups varying in their lipophilicity and their charge are evaluated. Promising results obtained in physical-chemical studies, enzymatic stability and gene inhibition highlight the use of these modified pro-RNA as therapeutic drugs. A second part introduces an original approach for the synthesis of 2'-O-alkyldithiomethyl pro-RNA. The physical-chemical properties, the enzymatic stability and the unmasking of this pro-RNA are described.Moreover, the study of a thiol-disulfide exchange reaction allowing the incorporation of intrastrand disulfide bond into secondary structure duplex and hairpin is reported in this manuscript.

Oligonucleotide-based drugs hold great promise for the treatment of many types of diseases, ranging from genetic disorders to viral infections and cancer. The problem is that efficient delivery across the cell membrane is required for oligonucleotides to have their desired effect. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) provide a solution to this problem. CPPs are capable of transporting cargoes such as drugs or nucleic acids for gene therapy into the cell, either by covalent conjugation to the cargo or by non-covalent complex formation. This thesis is focused on the development of a class of peptides called PepFects, peptides with fatty acid modifications capable of forming nanoparticle-sized complexes with oligonucleotides. These complexes are efficiently internalized by many different cell types and are generally non-toxic and non-immunogenic. We have developed a number of novel PepFect peptides and a quantitative structure-activity model to predict the biological effect of our peptides. In addition, the involvement of scavenger receptors class A in the endocytic uptake of PepFect complexes as well as other CPPs and polymeric transfection agents was studied. Lastly, we have developed a series of PepFect peptides for delivery across the blood-brain barrier and a model system mimicking the blood-brain barrier in order to evaluate the passage of these peptides. The general aim of this thesis is to improve the understanding of intracellular delivery of oligonucleotides with PepFect peptides from both a chemical and a biological viewpoint, and further improve the efficacy of this delivery system with the long-term goal of making it useful in clinical settings.

In this work, I studied the hybrid system based on self-assembled guanosine crystal (SAGC) conjugated to wide-bandgap semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN). Guanosine is one of the four bases of DNA and has the lowest oxidation energy, which favors carrier transport. It also has large dipole moment. Guanosine molecules self-assemble to ribbon-like structure in confined space. GaN surface can have positive or negative polarity depending on whether the surface is Ga- or N-terminated. I studied SAGC in confined space between two electrodes. The current-voltage characteristics can be explained very well with the theory of metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) structure. I-V curves also show strong rectification effect, which can be explained by the intrinsic polarization along the axis of ribbon-like structure of SAGC. GaN substrate property influences the properties of SAGC. So SAGC has semiconductor properties within the confined space up to 458nm. When the gap distance gets up to 484nm, the structure with guanosine shows resistance characteristics. The photocurrent measurements show that the bandgap of SAGC is about 3.3-3.4eV and affected by substrate properties. The MSM structure based on SAGC can be used as photodetector in UV region. Then I show that the periodic structure based on GaN and SAGC can have photonic bandgaps. The bandgap size and the band edges can be tuned by tuning lattice parameters. Light propagation and emission can be tuned by photonic crystals. So the hybrid photonic crystal can be potentially used to detect guanosine molecules. If guanosine molecules are used as functional linker to other biomolecules which usually absorb or emit light in blue to UV region, the hybrid photonic crystal can also be used to tune the coupling of light source to guanosine molecules, then to other biomolecules.