Nanobiotechnology for health-care
Polymeric core-shell nanoparticles – preparation, characterization and biomedical application
Marta Szczęch and Krzysztof Szczepanowicz 
Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, niezapominajek 8, 30-239 Krakow, Poland
E-mail: email.of. Krzysztof.szczepanowicz@ikifp.edu.pl
.

More than 40% of pharmacologically active compounds exhibit poor solubility in water. They have been proven to be very effective in vitro but cannot reach the side of action [1]. However, progress has been made in identifying better active molecules; there is still room to improve the drug delivery systems and targeting. Polymeric nanoparticles have become an important area of research in the field of drug delivery systems and targeting. Nanoparticles also received attention as carriers of diagnostic agents. Moreover, both modalities, therapeutic and diagnostic can be on one platform called theranostics. 
The aim of the present research was to develop a novel method of preparation of polymeric core-shell nanoparticles and their functionalization for biomedical application. Polymeric nanoparticles were prepared by the spontaneous emulsification solvent evaporation method. Various bio-acceptable polymers were used e.g. PCL, PLA or PLGA. The model active substance was encapsulated in formed nanoparticles (fluorescent dye, Taxol), and then they were modified/functionalized by the Layer by Layer method for bioimaging, passive and magnetic targeting. The polymeric core-shell nanoparticles with the average size ranged from 100-200 nm and low the polydispersity index (PDI) were obtained [1]. Developed polymeric core-shell NPs may be considered as a promising platform for future nanomedicine especially in targeted drug delivery, theranostics, or bioimaging.

1.	Szczęch M., Szczepanowicz K., Polymeric core-shell nanoparticles prepared by spontaneous emulsification solvent evaporation and functionalized by the layer-by-layer method // Nanomaterials 10 (3), 496