Glycogen as a Building Block for Advanced Biological Materials

Quinn A Besford; Francesca Cavalieri; Frank Caruso

Journal article

Glycogen as a Building Block for Advanced Biological Materials

Quinn A Besford, Francesca Cavalieri, Frank Caruso

Advanced Materials | Wiley | Published : 2020

DOI: 10.1002/adma.201904625

Download PDF

Abstract

Biological nanoparticles found in living systems possess distinct molecular architectures and diverse functions. Glycogen is a unique biological polysaccharide nanoparticle fabricated by nature through a bottom‐up approach. The biocatalytic synthesis of glycogen has evolved over time to form a nanometer‐sized dendrimer‐like structure (20–150 nm) with a highly branched surface and a dense core. This makes glycogen markedly different from other natural linear or branched polysaccharides and particularly attractive as a platform for biomedical applications. Glycogen is inherently biodegradable, nontoxic, and can be functionalized with diverse surface and internal motifs for enhanced biofunction..

View full abstract

University of Melbourne Researchers

Francesca Cavalieri Author Chemical Engineering

Frank Caruso Author Chemical Engineering

Related Projects (4)

Engineering Bioresponsive Hybrid Nanodevices using RNA, Peptides and Synthetic Polymers

This project aims to develop new microRNA polymer nanoassemblies with enhanced bioresponsive properties. Nanoengineered functional RNA-polym..

Engineering Bioresponsive Hybrid Nanodevices using RNA, Peptides and Synthetic Polymers

This project aims to develop new microRNA polymer nanoassemblies with enhanced bioresponsive properties. Nanoengineered functional RNA-polym..

ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN CONVERGENT BIO–NANO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The CoE in Convergent Bio-Nano Science &Technology comprises a multi-disciplinary team focused on research aiming to understand and control ..

ADVANCING NANOMEDICINE THROUGH PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY

This proposal will support the development of advanced particle systems to improve the delivery of medicines in neurological diseases, HIV, ..

Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology

Awarded by ARC

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

This work was conducted and funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology (Project No. CE140100036). This research was also supported by the ARC under the Future Fellowship scheme (F.C., FT140100873). F.C. acknowledges the award of a National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Principal Research Fellowship (GNT1135806). The authors gratefully acknowledge Marco Savioli, Agata Glab, and Pietro Pacchin Tomanin for assistance with illustrations and helpful discussions.