Sob o olhar nanotecnológico, a dimensionalidade passa a ser um fator preponderante nas propriedades dos materiais. O ouro metálico com dimensões reduzidas para a escala nanométrica passa a exibir um comportamento peculiar em termos de sua estrutura eletrônica e reatividade. No trabalho realizado busca-se um melhor entendimento das propriedades das nanopartículas de ouro através de um abordagem química, com foco nas interações superficiais e suas correlações com fenômenos de agregação. No campo mais fundamental, foram realizados estudos visando entender a influência de ligantes de diferentes comprimentos de cadeia nos processos de agregação e de fusão de nanopartículas, utilizando-se para tal ligantes de interesse para a química supramolecular: pirazina, 4,4\'-bipiridina, 1,2-bis (4-piridil)etano e 1,4-bis[(4-piridil)etenil]benzeno. Além disso, foram realizados estudos que permitiram a obtenção de nanopartículas de ouro passivadas com o complexo [Fe(CN)5(4-pySH)]3-,gerando um bloco de contrução interessante para a geração de materiais nanoestruturados a partir de ligações do tipo azul da Prússia. Por fim, estudos da interação de nanopartículas de ouro como o suporte inorgânico hidrotalcita foram realizados, possibilitando a geração de um material colorido composto de nanopartículas de ouro suportadas na superfície da matriz inorgânica. O material exibe ainda efeitos de mudança de coloração com o aumento da temperatura, correlacionados com o estado de agregação das nanopartículas metálicas. / Under the nanotechnological point of view, the dimensionality comes into play when one is dealing with many properties from the materials. Bulk gold with dimensions reduced to the nanometric scale shows singular reactivity and electronic properties. In the present work a further knowledge of the gold nanoparticles properties is sought from a chemical approach, through the investigation of surface interactions and their correlations with aggregation phenomena. Studies aiming a further understanding on the influence of different length ligands in the aggregation and fusional processes were performed with the ligands: pyrazine, 4,4\'-bipyridine, 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane and 1,4-bis[(4- pyridyl)ethenyl]benzene. Furthermore, the investigation of nanoparticles surface interaction with the ligands 2 and 4-mercaptopyridine and their complexes with pentacianoferrate was also investigated allowing the obtainment of building block potentially useful for the generation of nanostructured materials through Prussian blue-like bonds. Finally, the obtainment of a new material based on surface interactions of gold nanoparticles on the inorganic support hydrotalcite was possible. The material exhibits peculiar thermochromic properties with colors dependent on the aggregation state of the nanoparticles.

Nanoparticulas magnéticas de óxido de ferro tem sido amplamente utilizadas em diversas áreas da biotecnologia e biomedicina, tais como no tratamento de câncer, marcação de célula e como agentes de contraste em imagem por ressonância magnética. O intuito deste trabalho foi sintetizar as nanopartículas magnéticas com magnetização de saturação intensificadas via processo do poliol modificado, e usando agentes de superfície para melhorar as propriedades de superfície. Carboximetildextrana, metilpolietilenoglicol (MPEG), quitosana, sílica e 3-aminopropiltrimetoxisilano (APTMS) foram utilizados para a modificação da superfície. Através da microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM), foi obtido que as nanopartículas magnéticas de magnetita obtiveram um diâmetro médio de 5nm, em uma estreita distribuição de tamanho. A difração de raios-X (DRX) indicou a formação de magnetita em todos os sistemas em que o método do poliol modificado foi utilizado. As medidas de espectroscopia no infravermelho (FTIR) evidenciaram a presença de modos de vibração relacionados às macromoléculas e compostos inorgânicos utilizados na modificação de superfície das nanopartículas magnéticas. A TEM das diferentes modificações de superfície mostram a formação de aglomerados dependendo do modificador utilizado. As nanopartículas recobertas com APTMS foram funcionalizadas com ácido fólico, mostrando resultados satisfatórios, porém serão necessárias outras técnicas de caracterização. Para a funcionalização foi determinada a quantidade de amina livre na superfície da nanopartícula recoberta com APTMS e a técnica de UV-Vis determinou um bom resultado. A magnetometria de amostra vibrante (VSM) mostrou comportamentos semelhantes para todas as amostras recobertas em comparação a amostra sem recobrimento. Estes resultados evidenciam que a modificação de superfície foi realizada satisfatoriamente. Os métodos utilizados para realizar a mudança para hidrofóbica a superfície inicialmente hidrofílica se mostraram efetivos, porém a quantidade de agentes modificadores deve ser melhor estudada. Portanto, as nanopartículas magnéticas funcionalizadas com diferentes superfícies foram obtidas e possuem um alto potencial para serem utilizadas em aplicações em biomedicina. / Superparamagnetic iron oxides nanoparticles (SPION) have been highlighted in several areas of biotechnology and biomedicine, for example in cancer treatment, in labeling of cells and as contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was synthesizing SPION with intensified saturation magnetization by modified polyol process, and using surface agents to enhance the surface properties. Carboxymethildextran, metylpolietileneglycol, chitosan, silica and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) were utilized as surface modifiers. By transmission electron microscopy (TEM), SPION showed narrow particle size distribution, with an average diameter around 5 nm. The X-ray diffraction studies indicated the formation of magnetite in all synthesized systems in which the modified polyol process was utilized. FTIR measurements showed the presence of vibration modes related to the macromolecules and inorganic compounds used to SPION surface modifications. TEM of the different surface modifications showed the agglomerate formation, which depends on the used surface modifier. SPION coated with APTMS was functionalized with folic acid, showing satisfactory results. However other characterization techniques will be necessary for study this modification. Quantity of free amine groups was determinate in the amount coated with APTMS for functionalization, and UV-Vis spectroscopy determinates a good result. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) indicates similar behaviors in all cases against SPION without surface modifiers. These results suggest that the surface modifications were performed satisfactorily. Utilized methods for changing the hydrophobic to hydrophilic surface showed effectives, however, the quantity of surface modifiers should be better studied. Therefore, SPION functionalized with different hydrophilic surfaces were obtained, which possess high potential to be used as devices in biomedical applications.

Transition metals have been used to mediate bioorthogonal reactions within a biological environment. In particular, applications of biocompatible palladium catalysis currently range from biomolecules modification to the in cellulo synthesis or activation of drugs. Here, the scope of palladium-mediated chemistry in living systems has been further extended with the development of a new homogenous palladium catalyst. This water-soluble, biocompatible, and traceable catalysts is based on a palladium-carbene complex coupled to a fluorescent labelled homing peptide for targeted delivery inside cells. This “SMART” catalyst is designed to activate both caged fluorophores and drugs through the cleavage of protecting groups or cross-coupling reactions. A second strategy for targeted delivery of a biocompatible palladium catalysis involves metal nanoparticles loaded onto a heterogeneous solid support. This “modular” catalyst can be implanted in vivo at the desired site of action, e.g. a tumour, and locally activate biomolecules. These two catalytic systems will allow us to selectively activate pro-drugs in vivo, with spatial control, thus minimising the side effects of the treatment on the whole body.

Magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) combined with biomolecules in a microfluidic system can be efficiently used in various applications such as mixing, pre-concentration, separation and detection. They can be either integrated for point-of care applications or used individually in the area of bio-defense, drug delivery, medical diagnostics, and pharmaceutical development. The interaction of magnetic fields with magnetic nanoparticles in microfluidic flows will allow simplifying the complexity of the present generation separation and detection systems. The ability to understand the dynamics of these interactions is a prerequisite for designing and developing more efficient systems. Therefore, in this work proof-of-concept experiments are combined with advanced numerical simulation to design, develop and optimize the magnetic microfluidic systems for mixing, separation and detection. Different strategies to combine magnetism with microfluidic technology are explored; a time-dependent magnetic actuation is used for efficiently mixing low volume of samples whereas tangential microfluidic channels were fabricated to demonstrate a simple low cost magnetic switching for continuous separation of biomolecules. A simple low cost generic microfluidic platform is developed using assembly of readily available permanent magnets and electromagnets. Microfluidic channels were fabricated at much lower cost and with a faster construction time using our in-house developed micromolding technique that does not require a clean room. Residence-time distribution (RTD) analysis obtained using dynamic light scattering data from samples was successfully used for the first time in microfluidic system to characterize the performance. Both advanced multiphysics finite element models and proof of concept experimentation demonstrates that MNPs when tagged with biomolecules can be easily manipulated within the microchannel. They can be precisely captured, separated or detected with high efficiency and ease of operation. Presence of MNPs together with time-dependent magnetic actuation also helps in mixing as well as tagging biomolecules on chip, which is useful for point-of-care applications. The advanced mathematical model that takes into account mass and momentum transport, convection & diffusion, magnetic body forces acting on magnetic nanoparticles further demonstrates that the performance of microfluidic surface-based bio-assay can be increased by incorporating the idea of magnetic actuation. The numerical simulations were helpful in testing and optimizing key design parameters and demonstrated that fluid flow rate, magnetic field strength, and magnetic nanoparticle size had dramatic impact on the performance of microfluidic systems studied. This work will also emphasize the importance of considering magnetic nanoparticles interactions for a complete design of magnetic nanoparticle-based Lab-on-a-chip system where all the laboratory unit operations can be easily integrated. The strategy demonstrated in this work will not only be easy to implement but also allows for versatile biochip design rules and provides a simple approach to integrate external elements for enhancing mixing, separation and detection of biomolecules. The vast applications of this novel concept studied in this work demonstrate its potential of to be applied to other kinds of on-chip immunoassays in future. We think that the possibility of integrating magnetism with microfluidic-based bioassay on a disposable chip is a very promising and versatile approach for point-of care diagnostics especially in resource-limited settings.

EXPOSITION PENDANT LA GESTATION A DES NANOPARTICULES MANUFACTUREES : IMPACT SUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT PULMONAIRE DE LA DESCENDANCELe développement de l’utilisation des nanoparticules (NP) comme les NP d’argent (Ag), de dioxyde de titane (TiO2) et de dioxyde cérium (CeO2) conduit à s’intéresser à leurs potentiels effets toxiques. Des travaux ont montré que l’exposition de souris par voie pulmonaire aux NP peut induire une réponse inflammatoire et la fibrose pulmonaire. En revanche, il existe très peu de données concernant l’impact de l’exposition à des NP sur la descendance. Le but de cette étude est d’évaluer les conséquences d’une exposition de souris à des NP par voie respiratoire sur le développement pulmonaire de la descendance, ainsi que de déterminer le mécanisme d’action induisant les altérations du développement pulmonaire. Pour cela, trois NP de même taille et forme ont été utilisées : TiO2, Ag, et CeO2, afin d’évaluer l’impact des propriétés physico-chimiques des NP sur le développement pulmonaire. Des souris femelles gestantes ont été exposées aux NP par voie pulmonaire une fois par semaine. Des analyses pulmonaires de la descendance ont été réalisées à différentes étapes du développement pulmonaire, avant (17,5 jours post-coït) et après la naissance (14,5 et 49,5 jours post-délivrance). Les résultats montrent qu’après exposition pulmonaire pendant la gestation, les NP induisent une altération de développement pulmonaire de la descendance quelle que soit la nature de la NP utilisée. Ces résultats étaient accompagnés d’une diminution de l’efficacité placentaire associée à la présence des NP dans le placenta et à la diminution de l’expression de VEGF-alpha et MMP-9 à l’âge foetal, et FGF-18 au stage de l’alvéolisation pulmonaire. Compte tenu de l’utilisation croissante de NP, ces résultats suscitent des inquiétudes quant à la santé de l’Homme en particulier en cas d’exposition des femmes enceintes, dont le foetus en développement est susceptible d’avoir un retentissement pulmonaire de l’exposition à ces NP.Mots-clés : nanoparticules, gestation, développement pulmonaire / EXPOSURE TO MANUFACTURED NANOPARTICLES DURING GESTATION: IMPACT ON THE RESPIRATORY TRACT OF THE OFFSPRINGDue to several commercial applications of nanoparticles (NPs), such as silver (Ag), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and cerium dioxide (CeO2), knowledge of the toxicity of those NPs is of great importance. It has been shown that exposure to NPs may lead to an inflammatory response and pulmonary fibrosis. However less is known on the effect of exposure to NPs on the offspring. Therefore the aim of this study is to assess the impact of exposure by the respiratory route to various NPs during pregnancy on lung development of the offspring, and to determine the key parameters involved in lung alterations. We used three NPs: TiO2, Ag, and CeO2, to assess the impact of NPs physico-chemical properties on the potential effects on lung development. Pregnant mice were exposed weekly to 100 μg NPs or saline by nonsurgical intratracheal instillation. Analysis of the lungs of the offspring was performed at different times of lung development, before (17.5 gestational day) and after birth (14.5 and 49.5 post-delivery day). Results showed that after pulmonary exposure during pregnancy, all nanoparticles induced a long-lasting impairment of lung development of the offspring. This was accompanied by a decreased placental efficiency which was associated with the presence of NP in placenta and a decreased pulmonary expression of VEGF-alpha and MMP-9 at the fetal stage, and FGF-18 at the alveolization stage. In view of the growing use of these nanoparticles, this result raise concerns for public health and pregnant women and their developing fetus particularly for those at high risk of occupational or domestic exposure.Keywords: nanoparticles, pregnancy, lung development

To overcome the challenge in radiation therapy of delivering the prescribed dose to cancer cells while sparing normal tissue, preferential introduction of high Z material to tumour cells works as a method of radiation sensitization. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are very useful in this respect. It has been shown that the size, shape, and surface properties of GNPs affect their cellular uptake. Manipulation of the cell cycle to arrest cells at different stages offers a unique strategy to study the molecular and structural events as the cell cycle progresses. To optimize delivery of GNPs into tumour cells and enhance the effect of radiosensitization, nanoparticle (NP) uptake in synchronized populations of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was investigated. Populations of MDA-MB-231 cells were first synchronized in S-phase using double-thymidine block, and allowed to progress through cell cycle in synchronization. Synchronized cells were incubated with 5 nm GNPs, 15 nm GNPs, 46 nm GNPs and two formulations of lipid NP encapsulated 5 nm GNPs. Uptake of NPs was visualized using hyperspectral optical imaging and quantified with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Following internalization of GNPs, cells were irradiated with 6 MV photon beams from a linear accelerator, and the survival fraction and induced deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage were studied. Cell cycle analysis after a double-thymidine block showed that the cell population was well synchronized. Uptake of NPs was 1.5-2 times higher in synchronized cell population compared to the control where cells were at different stages of the cell cycle. Clonogenic studies were used to evaluate the cell survival following radiation treatment. After a dose of 2 Gy, there was a decrease in cell survival fraction in synchronized cells treated with GNPs prior to radiation treatment compared to unsynchronized cells (control) indicating GNP-mediated dose-enhancement. The protein γ-H2AX, which is recruited to sites of DNA double strand breaks, was fluorescently labeled to evaluate damage due to the radiation treatment. Our results show more DNA double strand breaks in cells treated with GNPs prior to radiation. Interaction of ionization radiation with GNPs inside of cells produce secondary electrons. These secondary electrons can interact with water molecules and produce additional free radicals. These low energy electrons and free radicals interact with important cell structures and could cause cellular damage. Cell cycle synchronization has been shown to enhance GNP/PEG/RGD uptake in MDA-MB-231 cells resulting in greater cell radiosensitization and cellular damage. Cell synchronization is therefore an additional method available that can be employed to improve GNP uptake in cells. / Graduate

Orientador: Miguel Jafelicci Junior / Banca: Antonio Carlos Guastaldi / Banca: Hernane da Silva Barud / Resumo: A utilização da enzima lipase em processos industriais é crescente, devido a capacidade de catalisar reações de hidrólise total ou parcial de acil ésteres de cadeia longa, podendo assim ser empregadas em tratamento de resíduos oleosos, cosméticos, preparo de detergentes e surfactantes e na produção de biodiesel. No entanto a dificuldade de isolamento e purificação das enzimas lipases, assim como a dificuldade de separação do meio reacional, a torna um insumo caro. Com a finalidade de tornar este processo economicamente mais vantajoso, nos últimos anos tem se intensificado o uso de diferentes tipos de suportes enzimáticos, para melhorar a estabilidade durante estocagem, aumentar a atividade catalítica, além da possibilidade da utilização de suportes que permitem o reciclo da enzima. Neste trabalho optou-se por utilizar como suporte para enzimas o óxido de grafeno, este foi obtido a partir da modificação do grafite, utilizando o método de Hummers modificado, que por meio de agentes oxidantes separaram as lamelas da estrutura do grafite e adicionam em sua estrutura diferentes grupos oxigenados. O caráter magnético do suporte foi adquirido pela síntese de nanopartículas magnéticas de óxido de ferro diretamente nas folhas de óxido de grafeno, possibilitando sua remoção a partir da aplicação de um campo magnético externo. Óxido de grafeno decorado com nanopartículas magnéticas foi modificado com grupos aminosilanos para posterior imobilização de lipase através de ligações cruzadas ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The use of the lipase enzyme in industrials processes is increasing due to its ability to catalyze total or partial hydrolysis reactions of fatty acids, allowing it to be used in oily residues treatment, cosmetics, detergents, surfactants and in biodiesel production. However, due to the difficulty of isolation and purification of lipases, as well as the separation of the reaction medium, it becomes an expensive input. In order to make this process more economically advantageous, in the last years the use of different types of enzyme supports has been intensified because they promote new characteristics of the enzyme of interest, such as, improved storage stability, increased catalytic activity, added to the possibility of being recycled. In this study it was used graphene oxide as support for enzymes. Graphene Oxide was obtained from the modification of graphite, using the modified Hummers method. The magnetic properties of the support were obtained through surface decoration with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles directly on the sheets of graphene oxide. RAMAN, XRD and SEM were used to elucidate the structure and morphology of the compounds obtained. By measuring hydrologic activity, it was possible to determine the optimum pH and temperature for three different types of immobilized lipases, being 37 °C and pH 8 (porcine pancreatic lipase), 50 °C and pH 6 (Candida rugosa lipase and 40 °C and pH 9 (Aspergillus niger lipase). The enzymatic recovery test showed the immobilized ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Wastewater treatment plants (WwTP) act as the principle buffer between anthropogenic sources of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) and environmental targets. AgNPs, given their effective anti-microbial properties, have the potential to negatively impact WwTP processes and organisms within the natural environment. A clear understanding of the fate and transport of AgNPs as they pass through WwTPs is crucial in evaluating AgNPs impacts for WwTP process, the natural environment and in the development of a comprehensive environmental risk assessment for AgNPs. The main aim of this thesis was to carry out an analysis on the fate, transport and transformation of AgNPs through WwTP relevant filtration medias in order to understand more about the toxicological implications for both WwTP processes and receiving environments. AgNPs were synthesised in-house, via an in-situ reduction method, which produced a homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles of average particle diameter 9.98nm, with a standard deviation of 3.11nm. Column studies and adsorption isotherm experiments were conducted to investigate the fate and transport of silver nitrate, AgNPs and bulk silver across media beds of quartz sand and granulated activated carbon (GAC), both chosen for their relevance in wastewater treatment protocols. TEM imaging and EDS analysis was employed to characterise the AgNPs physically and elementally within the column influents and effluents. An original contribution made to the existing knowledge on AgNPs is that in contrast to bulk silver and silver nitrate, uncoated AgNPs were observed to be highly mobile through the quartz sand media. This high mobility was in contrast with the prior expectation that van der Waals forces of attraction between the positively charged AgNPs and the negative charge of the silica surfaces within the sand bed would lead to some measure of retention within the column matrix. The resulting high mobility of the AgNPs was attributed to particle surface contamination of boride ions originating from the reduction agent used during the synthesis process. This highlights (and reinforces) the importance of better understanding on the implications of the various methods of synthesis and use of capping agents for AgNPs characteristics and the impact this has on fate and transport. AgNPs were also noted to have been significantly altered after their passage through the quartz sand media, with up to 83% of the sample increasing in size, from 9.98nm to an average of 18.26nm and a maximum of 144nm. Particle size measurements were made using the measuring tool available in the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). This size increase was attributed to the formation of nano-alloy clusters with residual gold and iron compounds, naturally present within the sand bed. In the case of silver-gold alloy clusters, this is expected to exhibit positive implications for future environmental fates of the resulting AgNPs, where the presence of gold in alloy clusters has been observed to significantly deactivate AgNPs silver ion release. In contrast to the sand, it was observed that the GAC was an effective absorber of AgNPs. However, this was observed to be a size dependant relationship, where the GAC was not observed to be effective for adsorption of bulk silver at particle sizes of 300 – 800nm. In this thesis, in addition to the experimental work, a novel, low complexity technique was developed for the detection and quantification of AgNPs in laboratory aqueous solutions. This protocol utilises a laboratory bench top photometer and gave AgNPs concentration results that reliably and accurately reflected that of ICP-MS and ICP-OES results within a detection range of 0.01 and 20mg/L; where the correlation coefficient between the instrument absorbance response and ICP-MS/OES concentration (at 450nm) was R2 0.994.

Curcumina é um composto natural presente na Curcuma longa, que apresenta diversas atividades medicinais, porém sua baixa solubilidade limita sua aplicação médica. Para solucionar esse problema e viabilizar seu uso, diversas pesquisas no campo da nanotecnologia estão sendo feitas. Neste estudo foram obtidas nanopartículas de curcumina utilizando como solventes o etanol (E) e o clorofórmio (C), e através dos procedimentos de agitação magnética e sonicação. As nanopartículas foram caracterizadas por espalhamento de luz dinâmico (DLS), potencial Zeta, microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e pelas espectroscopias no infravermelho (FTIR), no ultravioleta/visível (UV-Vis) e de fluorescência. Foram feitos ensaios de solubilidade, fotodegradação e citotoxicidade. As nanopartículas obtidas com o solvente E e pelos processos de agitação e sonicação foram denominadas de NEA e NES, e com o solvente C de NCA e NCS, respectivamente. Teste inicial de liberação in vitro foi feito para a amostra NCA dispersas em gelatina com posterior recobrimento com Eudragit S100®; esse teste foi feito em HCl (pH 2,0) e tampão fosfato (pH 7,5). A morfologia dessas membranas recobertas ou não com Eudragit S100® foram analisadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As nanopartículas tiveram um rendimento entre 60 e 78%. O resultado de DLS mostrou a obtenção de partículas nanométricas entre 189 e 248 nm para as NEA, NES e NCS e de 591 nm para NCA, com potencial Zeta acima de |25| mV para todas as amostras. As nanopartículas apresentaram uma fotodegradação mais lenta do que o produto comercial. As espectroscopias de FTIR, UV-Vis e fluorescência apresentaram bandas características da curcumina comercial, indicando que as nanopartículas têm as mesmas características químicas e físicas do bioativo. As nanopartículas mostraram um aumento na solubilidade de 37 a 56 vezes em relação à curcumina comercial. Os ensaios de citotoxicidade indicam que as nanopartículas não apresentaram toxicidade para a linhagem VERO, enquanto que para a linhagem HEp-2 ocasionaram morte celular. Assim, os procedimentos utilizados para o preparo das nanopartículas de curcumina foram eficientes, sendo que uso do solvente E mostrou ser o mais indicado para se obter nanopartículas. A morfologia por MEV das membranas de gelatina/NCA mostra um recobrimento uniforme com Eudragit S100®. Os testes iniciais de liberação in vitro mostraram que as nanopartículas de curcumina são protegidas pelo sistema em pH ácido e liberadas apenas quando em pH 7,5. / Curcumin is a natural compound present in Curcuma longa, which has several medicinal effects but due to its low solubility, its medical application gets constrained. To solve this problem and make it feasible to use, several studies are being made in the nanotechnology field. In this study curcumin nanoparticles were obtained using different solvents, ethanol (E) and chloroform (C), with two procedures, magnetic stirring and sonication. The nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), fluorescence spectroscopy. Solubility, photodegradation and cytotoxicity trials were made. The nanoparticles were named NEA and NES when prepared with E solvent, by magnetic stirring and sonication processes, and named NCA and NCS with C solvent, respectively. A preliminary in vitro release test was made with the NCA sample. It was dispersed in gelatin with the Eudragit S100® coating; this release test was done in HCl (pH 2.0) and phosphate buffer (pH 7.5). The membranes with and without Eudragit S100® coating were morphologically analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanoparticles yield between 60 and 78%. The DLS results showed nanometric particles between 189 and 248 nm for NEA, NES and NCS samples and 591 nm for NCA sample. Moreover, a Zeta potential superior to |25| mV was obtained for all samples. The nanoparticles showed a slower photodegradation compared to the commercial curcumin. The FTIR, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy resulted in characteristic bands, indicating that these nanoparticles have the same chemical and physical characteristics of the commercial curcumin. Likewise, an increase in solubility of 37 to 56 times was observed in comparison with the commercial product. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity assays suggested no toxicity to VERO cell lineage, while death for HEp-2 cell lineage. The procedures used for the curcumin nanoparticles preparation were efficient; however, the most suitable nanoparticles were obtained with E solvent. The morphology by SEM of gelatin/NCA membranes indicates a uniform coating with Eudragit S100®. In vitro release tests showed that curcumin nanoparticles were protected by this system at acid pH and released at pH 7.5.

Nanoscale colloids and nanoparticles (NPs), have recently emerged as a new class of materials that possess photonic, plasmonic, and/or catalytic emergent properties. However, methods for their rational fabrication into materials with designed structural organization remain to be established. Self-assembly -- the idea that NPs can find each other and spontaneously form a targeted macroscale structure with prescribed microscale organization -- is attractive in this context, particularly because it potentially lends itself to facile, large-scale manufacturing. Such a process, however, relies on a combination of interactions and shape effects for the formation of ordered long-range morphologies and a detailed molecular understanding of the governing physics for these systems remains an open question. In an attempt to reduce the complexity of such systems, a major thrust has been to use two NP sub-populations grafted with complementary single stranded DNA (DNA-NPs). The base pairing of these strands drives their spontaneous organization into crystalline arrays. DNA-mediated self-assembly provides a powerful tool to experimentally realize three dimensional crystalline ordering of NP networks; however, the majority of works within this field have focused on an isotropic, purely attractive interaction motif. While successful in controlling NP ordering, the usage of such symmetric designs severely restricts the range of accessible morphologies. This thesis systematically addresses the various limitations imposed by such a design strategy through both theoretical modeling of DNA-NPs interactions and inverse design of optimized self-assembly building blocks. We first relax the assumption that enthalpy completely dominates self-assembly by directly accounting for the effects of chain-chain repulsion as well as entropic frustrations that results from varying the mixing stoichiometry. We then build in the effect of utilizing anisotropy as a structural motif through the development of a scaling theory that captures the interplay between the chain dynamics and local curvature that results in the formation of non-trivial anisotropic coronas. The effects of anisotropy on both the local morphology and long-range crystalline ordering can then be model through the usage of mean-field and perturbation theories. The resulting composite model enables us to directly study how nano-scale phenomena drive micron-scale self-assembly. Lastly, theoretical developments are combined with a genetic algorithm optimization process into an inverse design framework that allows for an a priori design of molecular building blocks such that they spontaneously pack into any desired lattice morphologies. This strategy serves to address the long-standing challenge of nanomaterials design where one can take arbitrary nano-scale objects and arrange them into desired three-dimensional lattices that posses interesting, emergent properties.