Structural effect in dendrimers discovered by UNN chemists

Scientists at the Faculty of Chemistry of Lobachevsky University have reported for the first time the structural effect in spherical nanopolymers known as dendrimers.  While studying their heat capacity using the methods of calorimetry and thermal analysis, UNN chemists have detected minute fluctuations in the fragments of the inner sphere and surface layer of macromolecules. At the same time, the whole dendrimer molecule remained thermodynamically stable during both "freezing" (in the range of ultra-low temperatures of 5-70 K)  and subsequent heating. This unique feature opens up new opportunities for the use of dendrimers for medical purposes, namely, for the targeted delivery of drugs to the affected cells of the body.

According to Semen Sologubov, Associate Professor at the UNN Department of Physical Chemistry, such polymeric compounds, known since the 1980s, are of great interest to researchers around the world due to a wide range of unique properties. They have good solubility, chemical and biological stability, and are capable of self-organisation. Owing to these properties, dendrimers can act as molecular containers and can be used as contrast agents in MRI diagnostics.

"Using experimental values of heat capacity and calculated thermodynamic functions of dendrimers, we can determine their free volume. The higher this value, the better the dendrimer is suited for use as a container for targeted drug delivery. The low-temperature stability ensures better drug preservation, and the mobility of the dendrimer structure will allow the most efficient release of the drug substance," explained Semen Sologubov.

He also added that the discovery of this effect will provide an impetus for developing the technology and increasing the volume of dendrimer production.

The research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, as part of the Priority 2030 Strategic Academic Leadership Programme.

 All the results of the dendrimer calorimetric studies were published in prestigious Russian and foreign scientific journals.

This research area has been developing at UNN for almost two decades. The studies are carried out using special high-precision and high-sensitivity equipment including an adiabatic calorimeter and a differential scanning calorimeter.

Scientists at the Faculty of Chemistry of Lobachevsky University have reported for the first time the structural effect in spherical nanopolymers known as dendrimers.  While studying their heat capacity using the methods of calorimetry and thermal analysis, UNN chemists have detected minute fluctuations in the fragments of the inner sphere and surface layer of macromolecules. At the same time, the whole dendrimer molecule remained thermodynamically stable during both "freezing" (in the range of ultra-low temperatures of 5-70 K)  and subsequent heating. This unique feature opens up new opportunities for the use of dendrimers for medical purposes, namely, for the targeted delivery of drugs to the affected cells of the body.

According to Semen Sologubov, Associate Professor at the UNN Department of Physical Chemistry, such polymeric compounds, known since the 1980s, are of great interest to researchers around the world due to a wide range of unique properties. They have good solubility, chemical and biological stability, and are capable of self-organisation. Owing to these properties, dendrimers can act as molecular containers and can be used as contrast agents in MRI diagnostics.

"Using experimental values of heat capacity and calculated thermodynamic functions of dendrimers, we can determine their free volume. The higher this value, the better the dendrimer is suited for use as a container for targeted drug delivery. The low-temperature stability ensures better drug preservation, and the mobility of the dendrimer structure will allow the most efficient release of the drug substance," explained Semen Sologubov.

He also added that the discovery of this effect will provide an impetus for developing the technology and increasing the volume of dendrimer production.

The research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, as part of the Priority 2030 Strategic Academic Leadership Programme.

 All the results of the dendrimer calorimetric studies were published in prestigious Russian and foreign scientific journals.

This research area has been developing at UNN for almost two decades. The studies are carried out using special high-precision and high-sensitivity equipment including an adiabatic calorimeter and a differential scanning calorimeter.