Calcium alginate matrices with embedded biomolecules, nanoparticles and living cells as flexible platforms for in vitro and in vivo model studies
Timofey E. Pylaev, 1,2, Boris N. Khlebtsov,1 Maria A. Kupryashina,1 Angelina A. Savkina,2 Daniil N. Bratashov,3 Nikolai G. Khlebtsov1,3 1 Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, RAS, Saratov, Russia 2 Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russia 3 Saratov State University, Saratov, Russia
Abstract
Alginate is a natural polymer that is widely used in drug- and protein-delivery systems. Alginate possess several advantageous properties including ease of preparation, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and nontoxicity. The submicron pores of calcium alginate provide enhanced loading capacity for the cargoes of interest. Herein, we present a one-pot approach for preparation of the calcium alginate spheres with 2-5 mm diameter with incorporated plasmonic nanotags, fluorescent dyes and even living bacterial cells. The topography of the obtained spheres was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. We demonstrate the use of calcium alginate spheres for two proof-of-concept applications: (1) for in vitro and in vivo SERS studies as tissue-mimicking phantoms with incorporated nanotags; (2) for Azospirillum bacterial cells encapsulation with prolonged viability as a new formulation for microbial-based preparations.
Acknowledgments: The part of the work (preparation of calcium alginate spheres with SERS nanotags) was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation no. 18-14-00016-II.
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Timofey Pylaev
1 Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, RAS, Saratov, Russia 2 Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russia
Russia
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