ABSTRACT
The process of compartmentalization has unique evolutionary importance in biology by facilitating structural order, through the delivery of self-assembled building blocks which are both intrinsically and materially diverse in nature. For example, bacterial micro-compartments formed under biogenic control comprise of semi-permeable protein shells that permit in specific cases, the assembly of photo-sensitive quantum confined materials. Functionalised nanocontainers with porous cavities formed by crystalline photoactive ‘quantum sized’ centers within a shape sensitive supramolecular polymer shell can offer tunable surface properties to immobilize, transport and release therapeutic agents at target sites via externally controlled triggers. Using the physical properties of shape, size, geometry and texture of the nanocontainer, we demonstrate the drug loading capacity of polymer-trapped TiO2 core structures and their potential for the development of drug-based technologies via controlled triggered release mechanisms.
