By Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC)
Multivalent chemical systems are molecules that contain multiple functional groups arranged in a spatial distribution that is directly associated with the architecture of their backbone. These functional groups can be modified, in a controlled manner, with different biomolecules and drugs. Due to this versatility, multivalent systems become chemical tools with great potential in areas such as biological chemistry and nanomedicine, such as the delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic agents and biomaterials. Our group explores the use of different types of multivalent chemical platforms (oligomers, dendrimers, polymers, micelles, lipid nanovesicles) in: - The generation of multivalent ligands for the study of GPCR oligomerization and their application as therapeutic agents for movement-associated diseases; and - The development of drug delivery systems for the treatment of colon cancer, breast cancer, and glioblastoma. - Protein delivery systems for the treatment of lysosomal diseases. - Macromolecular compounds with intrinsic therapeutic properties, with applications to central nervous system diseases. - Development of targeting units (peptides and small molecules) or carriers to promote the accumulation of therapeutic agent delivery systems in specific cells, tissues, or organs, or to facilitate entry across a biological barrier such as the blood-brain barrier.
