Multifunctional Glyconanomaterials : Applications in Biorecognition and Drug Delivery

Abstract: This thesis consists of three parts, which revolve around the fabrication of multifunctional glyconanomaterials (cellulose nanocrystals, chitin nanocrystals, mesoporous silica nanoparticles) and the development of their applications in biorecognition and nanomedicine.Part one presents a detailed introduction to glyconanomaterials, focusing on cellulose nanocrystals, chitin nanocrystals and mesoporous silica nanoparticles, including their general preparations, properties and applications.Part two demonstrates dually modified cellulose and chitin nanocrystals. They are prepared by TEMPO-mediated oxidation, followed by conjugation with a fluorescent dye and carbohydrate ligands. The two functional nanocrystals are applied in carbohydrate-lectin recognition and bacterial imaging as new types of glyconanomaterials.Part three describes two types of drug delivery systems based on carbohydrate- conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles: the first type is a trehalose- functionalized nanoparticle which can selectively recognize mycobacteria, release antimicrobial drugs and kill them; the second type is a lectin-gated drug container, which can perform controlled delivery of drugs to cancer cells in response to glutathione.