Coupling surface groups to dendrimers to enable passage through the blood brain barrier

CHED 547

Matthew Lauer, lauerm@nku.edu1, Areej Saqr, saqra1@NKU.EDU1, Donald Tomalia2, Kristi H. Martines, martines@nku.edu3, and KC. Russell, russellk@nku.edu1. (1) Department of Chemistry, Northern Kentucky University, Nunn Dr, Highland Heights, KY 41099, (2) Dendritic Nanotech Ltd, 2625 Denison Dr Ste B, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858-5596, (3) Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Nunn Dr, Highland Heights, KY 41099
The protective lining of the brain known as the blood brain barrier (BBB), prevents many medications from easily entering the brain. Our research focuses on developing a transport system for various medications by utilizing molecules known to pass though the BBB, such as cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 1) and 7-nitroindazole (2). These molecules will then be coupled to the surface of generation 4 and 5 polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers. Linoleic acid (3), used as a model for DHA, has been successfully coupled to the surface of generation 4 and 5 polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers labeled with an Alexa FluorŪ 555 dye using a peptide coupling strategy. The syntheses of two different different 7-nitroindazole dendrimer conjugates are also currently underway. After the synthesis of such dendrimer conjugates studies with artificial bilayer membranes and animal models will be used to determine the ability of the conjugates to pass through the BBB. This presentation will highlight the current status of the project.

 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Organic Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007