LECTURE BY PROF. DR. GLEB SUKHORUKOV

Lecture by Prof. Dr. Gleb Sukhorukov

Department of Environmental Sciences (O2) invites you to a lecture by Prof. Dr. Gleb Sukhorukov (School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London) which will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. at the Kolar Lecture Hall, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana.

Abstract
The talk reviews recent advances in micropackaging technologies with particular attention in areas of polyelectrolyte multilayer structures on patterned surfaces and colloidal particles, fabrication of microchambers with responsive properties and in vivo and intracellular applications of multilayer capsules. Alternating layering technology gives possibilities to tailor various functions to microstructures making them responsive to such factors as light, ultrasound or magnetic field.  So called microchamber structures, made of polymer multilayers deposited onto imprinted stamps enable to accommodate various biologically active molecules. These chambers can be sealed with another thin hydrophobic polymer, such as polylactic acid layer and resulted structure is pulled off to form free standing microchambers. Entrapment of water soluble molecules into sealed chambers is achieved by precipitation from drying solution and formation of air micro-bubble once the chamber is sealed. These chambers can be externally activated releasing encapsulated cargo in time and site specific manner. For instance, local release could alter biological cells in close proximity of opened microchambers. Periodic structure made of sensitive polymers provides optically recordable sensor for physical and chemical factors such as temperature, humidity and pH based on simple diffraction.   
Recent advances the polyelectrolyte capsules are focused on their role as confined geometries to synthesize carbon fluorescent nanoparticles which can provide new properties for multilayer films such as optical addressing and conductivity. The perspectives of biomedical applications of microcapsules are in capsule uptake by various cell types what opens possibilities to interfere intracellular process as well as cell magnetisation. For instance, mesenchymal stem cells once impregnated with magnetic capsules, can be navigated by magnetic field to particular sites for local differentiation and proliferation. Biological impact of cell assisted capsule delivery is discussed over possibility for cell tracking using photo-switchable capsules.

Professor Gleb Sukhorukov holds Chair in Biopolymers at School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). Graduated from Department of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University and after postdoctoral positions at academia and industry he started his independent research group at Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in 2001 and moved to QMUL in 2006. He pioneered research on layer-by-layer assembled polyelectrolyte capsules with most research outcome relevant to development of multifunctional drug delivery systems enabling encapsulation of various substances in capsules of defined size with triggered release induced by light, magnetic field and ultrasound. His more recent research activities are in various patterned polymer structured enabling mickropackaging of active substances, coating stents and forming platform for various sensing. He was named among top-10 world known scientists of Russian origin by Forbes. With help of Megagrant program of Russian Ministry of Education and Science Prof Sukhorukov established and run laboratory “Remote Controlled systems for Theranostics” at Saratov State University (2014-2018). He is also Visiting Professor at Northwestern Polytechnic University at Xian, China. He is author and co-author of more than 300 papers whose impact is reflected in more than 25 000 citations (H-index 85 as per Web of Science). Back to all news