Prof. Ben Boyd (KU) 

Controlling structure in stimuli responsive lipid-based nanomaterials

Lipids can self-assemble to form a diverse range of structures with functionality on multiple length scales. These materials can be rendered stimuli responsive to a wide range of stimuli to control their morphology and to trigger drug release. One strategy towards on demand drug delivery systems that we have explored is incorporating ‘actuators’ into the host matrix to render the material stimuli responsive. Using time-resolved and high throughput scattering methods we can elucidate the impact of the actuator on the structure of the host lipid matrix, then evaluate its performance under the desired stimulus. In this presentation a number of examples will be shown ranging from less specific pH and ionic strength responsive systems, to peptide and light responsive actuators. Enzymatic reactions are also crucial to the behaviour of lipids in the body and self-assembly of lipids during processing of foods and lipid-based medicines by the body has opened new avenues of investigation to utilise lipid materials as drug delivery systems.

Bio:
Prof. Ben Boyd is a colloid and physical chemist with PhD from the University of Melbourne. After industry experience in the explosives and pharmaceutical industries, he commenced an academic position at Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) at Monash University. He has recently commenced a new position as a Novo Nordisk Laureate Research Fellow at the University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on colloidal and structural aspects of lipids, lipid self-assembly and pharmaceutical systems, and his group is active in developing new synchrotron-based characterization approaches for lipid and solid-state systems. He is also President of the Controlled Release Society and immediate past President of the Australasian Colloid and Interface Society. He is Co-Editor for the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science and Editor for Asia (exiled in Europe) for Drug Delivery and Translational Research.

Host: Professor Alexander Zelikin, iNANO & Department of Chemistry, AU