Understanding the encapsulation and release of drugs by responsive supramolecular cyclic peptide nanotubes

Cyclic peptides with alternating side chain stereochemistry are capable of self-assembling intolong nanotubes. The conjugation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers to these peptides leads to self-assembly of ‘tubisomes’, supramolecular assemblies of nanotubes. We have demonstrated that hydrophobic drugs, such as doxorubicin (a common chemotherapy agent), can be encapsulated within tubisomes. We have engineered photo-responsiveness into these tubisomes, such that the particles disassemble upon exposure to UV light to release their therapeutic cargo. Here, we propose to use SANS to understand the chemical factors which influence the capacity of these materials to encapsulate drugs and their morphology in solution, and understand the disassembly mechanism upon exposure to UV light. This will enable the optimised design of controlled, tuneable tubisomes as drug delivery vectors.