Detaljhandeln är idag präglad av hög konkurrens och många aktörer som slåss om sammasegment. Fast Fashion med sina snabba produktlivscykler och låga prissegment trots en högmodegrad, har lett till att konsumtionsmönstret förändrat konsumenternas beteende genomderas krav på ständiga uppdateringar av sortimentet. Dagens kunder kräver mer än enbart ettlågt pris för att attraheras, vilket kräver att även Fast Fashion-företagen adderar ytterligarevärden. Imagen och känslan för varumärket spelar därför en stor roll även för Fast Fashionföretagoch inte enbart för märken som agerar inom en högre prisklass. För att kunnatillfredställa det kunden efterfrågar krävs av företaget att de tydligt identifierat sin målgruppför att kunna anpassa erbjudandet efter just dem. Detta eftersom konsumenternas livsstilar ochönskemål skiljer sig kraftigt åt och utan en specifik anpassning till målgruppen riskerarföretaget att tappa en stor andel kunder.Den höga konkurrensen om kunderna gör att företag önskar att bredda sin målgrupp för attöka sin marknadsandel. En bred målgrupp kräver en anpassning för att alla inom segmentetska tilltalas. Syftet med denna uppsats är därför att undersöka vilka hinder och möjligheter detfinns för Fast Fashion-företag med att nå en bred målgrupp. Studiens uppgift är att belysalikheter och skillnader som finns mellan olika ålderssegment för att se vilka kriterier som ärutmärkande och påverkar hur de agerar vid konsumtion.Studien har utformats genom en kvalitativ undersökningsmetod för uppnå en djupareförståelse kring ämnet att nå en bred målgrupp. Genom användandet av fokusgrupper med enspeciell inriktning på ett fallföretag har attityder och kriterier undersökts för segmentenkvinnor 15-25 år och 25-35 år. Den insamlade empirin diskuteras sedan, utifrån den yngreochäldre målgruppen, i analysen tillsammans med sammanställd teori från den teoretiskareferensramen. Teorier kring ämnet behandlar varumärkesbyggnad och image utifrån hurolika ålderssegment resonerar.Resultatet av studien visar att en lyckad satsning på en bred målgrupp för ett Fast Fashionföretagkräver en segmentering genom livsstil och attityder hos konsumenten, då ålder intehar lika stor betydelse eftersom de flesta inte alltid konsumerar efter sin kronologiska ålder.Både en anpassning av produkter och marknadsföringsaktiviteter krävs för att uppfylla enbred målgrupps preferenser.Nyckelord: Målgrupp, / Program: Textilekonomutbildningen

Small molecules have played an important role in defining the functions and identities of numerous proteins involved in fundamental biological processes as well as pathways involved in disease. Chemical genetics represents the formalization of this process into a defined field desiring to achieve the breadth and specificity of classical genetics. In order to gain full advantage of a small molecule's ability to perturb the cell for novel or desired phenotypes, a complete understanding of the molecule's mechanism of action must be achieved. Identification of the biological targets of a molecule represents the most direct approach to attaining this knowledge. In our strategy to find novel mechanisms to target cancers with oncogenic RAS mutations, we have used small molecules to probe specific weaknesses of this cancerous network through synthetic lethal screening. One molecule identified in these screens, RSL3, attracted interest as a candidate for target identification studies because of its potent lethality and potentially unique mechanism of action. We used an affinity chromatography approach to directly isolate binding partners of RSL3 by modifying the molecules structure to incorporate various affinity tags. Through these experiments we ultimately identified a number of interesting candidate targets. Investigations validating these targets suggest that multi-targeted modulation of antioxidant and prostaglandin networks may be a mechanism for selectively killing cancers with oncogenic RAS. The identification of biological targets of small molecules poses a difficult challenge to the field of forward chemical genetics. Thus, we attempted to optimize a unique method for target identification, the yeast three-hybrid system (Y3H), which detects small molecule-protein interactions through a transcriptional assay in vivo. We created a version of our Y3H system that incorporated a covalent anchor and compared it with the existing state-of-the-art, which uses a high affinity non-covalent anchor. Transcriptional assays indicated our new system was functional, but surprisingly could not improve upon the original Y3H system. These results highlight the complexities of manipulating ligand-receptor interactions in vivo.

Diplomová práce je zaměřena na problematiku segmentace trhu. Teoretická část popisuje pravidla segmentace trhu, její proces, výhody a omezení. Rozlišuje segmentační faktory na základě typu trhu, jde-li o trhy spotřebitelské nebo trhy průmyslové. Praktická část navazuje nastavením diferencovaného přístupu k zákazníkům firmy TDS. Zhodnocuje situaci ve společnosti TDS. Tento strategický manuál může být pro firmu nápovědou, která poukazuje na stěžejní oblasti v přístupu k zákazníkům, na které se firma může zaměřit k upevnění vztahů se zákazníky.

La biogénèse des mitochondries est un processus qui implique l’importation de plus de 98% des protéines constitutives de ces organites. Les signaux protéiques impliqués dans l’importation de ces protéines dans les mitochondries sont relativement bien caractérisés. Il y a une dizaine d’année, il a été montré chez la levure et les mammifères que d’autres signaux, présents au niveau des ARNm étaient également impliqués dans l’adressage et l’importation des protéines dans les mitochondries. Ce processus d’adressage d’ARNm à la surface des mitochondries s’est montré fondamental pour la biogénèse et la fonction des mitochondries chez la levure. Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons démontré que des ARNm étaient adressés à la surface des mitochondries chez trois espèces végétales. Par la combinaison d’approches in vitro et in vivo, nous avons également identifié des éléments cis permettant l’adressage d’ARNm à la surface des mitochondries à partir d’un messager candidat : AtVDAC3. Ces éléments cis sont localisés dans une séquence de 142 nt présente dans la région 3’UTR du messager AtVDAC3. Le rôle de ce processus chez les plantes est actuellement en cours d’étude. / Mitochondria biogenesis requires the import of more than 98 % of their constitutive proteins. Proteic signals involved in mitochondrial protein import are well known today. Ten years ago, it was shown in yeast and mammals that targeting signals are also present at the level of mRNAs. Cytosolic mRNA targeting to mitochondria is an extended process concerning half of the mRNAs encoded mitochondrial proteins in yeast. Furthermore, this process is fundamental for yeast mitochondria biogenesis and functions. During this PhD, we showed that some mRNAs are also targeting to mitochondria in three different plant species. These results highlighted the conservation of this process during evolution. By using in vivo and in vitro experimental strategies, we also identified a mitochondrial cis-targeting element in one candidate mRNA: AtVDAC3. This cis-element is 142 nt long and is located in the 3’UTR of the AtVDAC3 mRNA. We are now investigating the roles of this process in mitochondria biogenesis and functions in plants.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the USA, following cardiovascular disease. Treating cancer using conventional therapies is associated with low response rates and high toxicity, because these therapies usually lack specific tumor accumulation. Loading anticancer drugs into intelligently designed polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) can serve in delivering these drugs specifically to the tumor site, thus boosting their efficacy and reducing any associated off target toxicity. Targeting NPs to the tumor site can occur through either passive or active means. In passive targeting, NPs of specific size and surface characteristics can exploit the tumor’s erratic vasculature and occluded lymphatic drainage to extravasate the systemic circulation and accumulate preferentially at the tumor site. Active targeting mandates grafting the surface of NPs with a ligand that specifically interacts with a protein expressed at higher levels at the tumor site, in comparison to elsewhere in the body. In the current research, we independently investigated the utilization of passive and active targeting strategies to treat aggressive forms of cancer. Initially, passively targeted poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs to treat aggressive forms of endometrial cancer (EC) were investigated. A novel combination of soluble paclitaxel (PTX), a first line chemotherapy for EC, and soluble BIBF1120 (BIBF, nintedanib), an antiangiogenic molecular inhibitor, was first tested against three EC cell lines bearing different p53 mutations. The results showed that only EC cells with loss of function (LOF) p53 were sensitive to the combination therapy, indicating the potential of this combination to engender synthetic lethality to PTX. Next, NPs loaded with PTX were investigated with respect to the impact of varying the polymer lactic acid to glycolic acid ratio and the surfactant type on the major physicochemical properties of the prepared nanoparticles, drug loading, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and drug release. The optimum formulation was then loaded with BIBF and the combination of independently loaded passively targeted NPs were further evaluated for in vivo activity against a xenograft model of LOF p53 EC. The combination of independently loaded NPs exhibited the highest reduction in tumor volume and prolonged survival when compared to soluble PTX, PTX NPs or untreated control. These data highlight this specific combination of NPs as a novel promising therapy for LOF p53 EC. In a second study, the use of actively targeted NPs to treat liver cancer was explored. In this study, a combination of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was investigated as a new therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AEG-1 is a highly expressed oncogene that is directly involved in HCC progression and aggressiveness, in addition to reducing the ability of retinoic acid to induce apoptosis in HCC cells. First, a new conjugate was synthesized that was capable of delivering siRNA selectively to HCC cells, using galactose as a targeting moiety. The conjugate was prepared by linking poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and lactobionic acid (Gal, disaccharide containing galactose) (PAMAM-PEG-Gal). We confirmed the synthesis of the conjugate using 1H-NMR, Mass spectrometry and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) Mass Spectrometry. Next, nanoplexes of the synthesized conjugate, PAMAM-PEG-Gal, and AEG-1 siRNA were prepared. Nanoplexes were further characterized for their size, surface charge, morphology, and electrophoretic mobility to identify the optimum complexation ratio between PAMAM-PEG-Gal and the siRNA. Then, mice bearing orthotopic luciferase expressing HCC cells were treated with the optimum nanoplex formulation. Results showed that a combination of AEG-1 nanoplexes and ATRA results in a significant reduction in luciferase expression, reduced liver weight, lower AEG-1 mRNA levels and increased apoptosis, when compared to utilizing nanoplexes with silencing control (siCon), siCon+ATRA, or AEG-1 nanoplexes alone. The results indicate that the combination of liver-targeted AEG-1 nanoplexes and ATRA may be a potential treatment for aggressive HCC. These data place targeted NPs as a promising efficient delivery system for cancer treatment.

Le récepteur du mannose 6-phosphate cation indépendant (RM6P-CI) permet l'endocytose puis le transfert de molécules porteuses du marqueur mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) vers les lysosomes. Le RM6P-CI, qui est surexprimé par les cellules de cancer de la prostate, est une cible de choix pour augmenter la délivrance de principes actifs dans ces cellules. Cependant le M6P est dégradé par les phosphatases présentes dans le sérum. Dans le but d'augmenter à la fois la stabilité et l'affinité pour le RM6P-CI, nous avons entrepris la synthèse d'analogues isostères du mannose 6-phosphate. Ces analogues sont fonctionnalisés en position anomère afin de permettre leur greffage sur des nanoparticules de silice mésoporeuse incorporant un photosensibilisateur. L'évaluation biologique a montré un gain d'affinité des nouveaux analogues synthétisés pour le RM6P-CI ainsi qu'une forte augmentation de l'efficacité des nanoparticules fonctionnalisées avec les analogues pour la thérapie photodynamique, in vitro, de cellules de cancer de la prostate. / The cation independant mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CI-M6PR) allows the endocytosis and the transport of mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) bearing molecules toward the lysosomes. The CI-M6PR, which is overexpressed by prostate cancer cells, is a target of interest to increase drug delivery in these cells. However, M6P is sensitive to degradation by phosphatases in the serum. To increase both the stability and the affinity for the CI-M6PR, we synthesized new M6P isosteric analogs. These analogs are functionnalized at the anomeric position to permit their grafting on mesoporous silica nanoparticles incorporating a photosensitizer. The biological evaluation demonstrated an affinity gain of the new analogs for the CI-M6PR as well as an increase of the efficacy of the nanoparticles functionnalized with these analogs for the in vitro photodynamic therapy of cancer prostate cells.

<p>To further develop cancer therapy, targeted delivery of cell killing agents directly to tumor cells is an interesting approach. This thesis describes the development of PEG-stabilized liposome conjugates targeting either epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) using its natural ligand EGF, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) using the antibody trastuzumab. Both receptors are known to be overexpressed on a variety of tumors. The liposomes were loaded with the boronated compounds water soluble boronated acridine (WSA) or water soluble boronated phenantridine (WSP), compounds primarily developed for boron neutron capture therapy, BNCT. </p><p>The liposome conjugates bound specifically to their receptors in cell culture. Because the WSA conjugates exhibited the most favorable boron uptake this compound was chosen for further study. The WSA-loaded liposome conjugates was internalized, an important characteristic for BNCT, and had a long retention inside the cells. The cellular localization of WSA, studied using fluorescence was found to be mainly cytoplasmic. </p><p>To increase the boron uptake studies comparing different incubation methods was performed. It was shown for both EGF and trastuzumab targeted liposomes the uptake could be increased over 10 times by changing from incubation in monolayer culture to incubation in cell suspension in roller flasks. With this treatment the boron concentrations reached after 24 h incubation time was 90 ppm for EGF-liposomes and 132 ppm for trastuzumab-liposomes, levels that are clinically interesting. </p><p>To study the cell-killing efficacy of the liposome-conjugates an experimental BNCT study was performed using EGF-liposome-WSA on cultured glioma cells. About half the number of thermal neutron was needed to inactivate 90% of the cells if the cells had been incubated with EGF-liposome-WSA compared to control cells. When comparing the survival to dose it was shown that to inactivate 90% of the cells 2.9 Gy was needed for EGF-liposome-WSA and neutrons compared to 5.6 Gy with ¹³⁷Cs gamma. </p><p>The biodistribution of EGF-liposomes was also studied in mice. It was compared to EGF and it was found that the addition of a PEG-stabilized liposome to EGF significantly reduced EGF uptake in liver and kidneys, the circulation time in blood was prolonged as well. The reduced liver uptake might be due to inability of the 100 nm liposomes to pass the sinusoidal fenestrations of the liver and bind to the EGFR-rich hepatocytes. The reduced liver uptake potentates the use of EGF-liposome conjugates for systemic injection.</p>

To further develop cancer therapy, targeted delivery of cell killing agents directly to tumor cells is an interesting approach. This thesis describes the development of PEG-stabilized liposome conjugates targeting either epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) using its natural ligand EGF, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) using the antibody trastuzumab. Both receptors are known to be overexpressed on a variety of tumors. The liposomes were loaded with the boronated compounds water soluble boronated acridine (WSA) or water soluble boronated phenantridine (WSP), compounds primarily developed for boron neutron capture therapy, BNCT. The liposome conjugates bound specifically to their receptors in cell culture. Because the WSA conjugates exhibited the most favorable boron uptake this compound was chosen for further study. The WSA-loaded liposome conjugates was internalized, an important characteristic for BNCT, and had a long retention inside the cells. The cellular localization of WSA, studied using fluorescence was found to be mainly cytoplasmic. To increase the boron uptake studies comparing different incubation methods was performed. It was shown for both EGF and trastuzumab targeted liposomes the uptake could be increased over 10 times by changing from incubation in monolayer culture to incubation in cell suspension in roller flasks. With this treatment the boron concentrations reached after 24 h incubation time was 90 ppm for EGF-liposomes and 132 ppm for trastuzumab-liposomes, levels that are clinically interesting. To study the cell-killing efficacy of the liposome-conjugates an experimental BNCT study was performed using EGF-liposome-WSA on cultured glioma cells. About half the number of thermal neutron was needed to inactivate 90% of the cells if the cells had been incubated with EGF-liposome-WSA compared to control cells. When comparing the survival to dose it was shown that to inactivate 90% of the cells 2.9 Gy was needed for EGF-liposome-WSA and neutrons compared to 5.6 Gy with 137Cs gamma. The biodistribution of EGF-liposomes was also studied in mice. It was compared to EGF and it was found that the addition of a PEG-stabilized liposome to EGF significantly reduced EGF uptake in liver and kidneys, the circulation time in blood was prolonged as well. The reduced liver uptake might be due to inability of the 100 nm liposomes to pass the sinusoidal fenestrations of the liver and bind to the EGFR-rich hepatocytes. The reduced liver uptake potentates the use of EGF-liposome conjugates for systemic injection.

Approximately 10% of the open reading frames in the genome of the Gram-negative bacterium E. coli encodes secretory proteins, and 20% encodes integral inner membrane proteins (IMPs). These proteins are sorted to their correct cellular compartments (the periplasm and the outer and inner membranes) by specialized targeting and translocation/insertion systems. So far, a very limited set of model proteins have been used to study proteins sorting requirements in E. coli. The main objective of all the papers presented in this thesis was to determine the targeting and translocation/insertion requirements of more E. coli proteins. In papers I and II, this was done using focused approaches. Selected model proteins (lipoproteins and putative outer membrane proteins) were expressed from plasmids and their targeting and translocation were analysed in vitro by crosslinking experiments and/or in vivo by pulse-chase analysis in different E. coli mutant strains. In papers III a comparative sub-proteome analysis was carried out to define the role of the cytoplasmic chaperone SecB in protein targeting. In paper IV, a similar approach was used to study how protein translocation and insertion is affected upon depletion of the essential Sec-translocon component SecE. The ‘global’ approach used in paper III and IV allowed us to study protein targeting and translocation/insertion requirements on a proteome level. This led to the identification of several novel SecB substrates and a large number of potential Sec-translocon independent IMPs.

Hydrophobic drug paclitaxel nanoparticles (PAX NPs) and pH sensitive hydrogels were prepared in this study to build a colon targeting nanoparticle based drug delivery system for oral administration. Negative charged PAX NPs at the size of 110 +/- 10 nm were fabricated, characterized and then encapsulated in synthetic / biomacromolecule shell chitosan, dextran-sulfate using a layer by layer (LbL) self-assembly technique. Surface modifications were performed by covalently conjugating with poly (ethylene glycol) (H2N-PEG-carboxymethyl, Mw 3400) and fluorescence labeled wheat germ agglutinin (F-WGA), so as to build a biocompatible and targeted drug delivery system. Extended release of drug paclitaxel can be realized by adding more polyelectrolyte layers in the shell. High cell viability with PEG conjugated and high binding capacities of WGA modified nanoparticles with Caco-2 cells were observed. Preliminary study on stability of the nanoparticles in suspension at different pH was also performed. Two dextran based pH sensitive and enzyme degradable hydrogels: dextran maleic acid (Dex-MA), and glycidyl methacrylated dextran (Dex-GMA) were synthesized for oral delivery of nanoparticles. Hydrogels of both kinds were stable in simulated gastric fluid, but were prone to swelling and degradation in the presence or absence of enzyme dextranase in simulated intestinal fluid. The release profiles of nanoparticles could be tuned from 5 hr to 24 hr periods of time with more than 85% of the nanoparticle released in the simulated intestinal fluid. The release of PAX NPs was completed with longer time periods (45 hr-120 hr). Two possible release mechanisms were discussed for Dex-MA and Dex-GMA-co-AA hydrogels respectively: degradation controlled, and diffusion controlled. These biodegradable hydrogels, which can release nanoparticles depending on pH changes, together with the biocompatible and targeted nanoparticles, may be suitable as a potential colon targeting system for oral delivery of drug nanoparticles.