Nonlamellar Lipid Liquid Crystalline Structures at Interfaces - Self-Assembled Supramolecular Architectures: Lyotropic Liquid Crystals - page 309

10.7 APPLICATIONS AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

Liquid crystalline nanoparticles have great potential in many different applica-
tions because of their structure and encapsulation ability. Two applications of
interest are as delivery agents and as a surface functionalizers. To use an LCNP
as a delivery agent, it is important to understand its physical property and
interaction with the encapsulated molecules. Furthermore, it is crucial to
understand the interfacial property between LCNP and the surface where the
particles will interact. For drug delivery purposes, there is a need to develop
new lipid compositions with low physiological toxicity. Systematic studies, as
developed in some of the works cited, to monitor the interaction of the
nanoparticles with model membranes can then be related to the synthesis of
new formulations to assess their potential for delivery applications.
Liquid crystalline nanoparticles can also be used to prepare crystalline
surface fi lms with a well-defi ned nanostructure. These surface fi lms can be
formed through simple adsorption of the nanoparticles, direct deposition of
the LCNP precursors, and also built up from the lipid components. The crystal-
line structure on a surface can be altered because phase transition can take
place upon adsorption. The inclusion of guest molecules can also change the
crystalline phases. Thus, the surface structure will need to be systematically
monitored, as described previously, to ensure a well-defi ned crystalline struc-
ture is maintained.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful to our colleagues Fredrik Tiberg, Justas Barauskas, Markus
Johnsson, and Camilla Cervin for many stimulating discussions on lipid liquid
crystalline nanoparticles and interfaces. Financial support was obtained from
the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research.

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