Micro- and Nanoencapsulation
Laboratory
St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University
Gleb Sukhorukov
/Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom/
Technology of Layer –by-Layer encapsulation
(Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)
- >25 groups working in area of LbL encapsulations in Europe,
USA, China, Japan, Singapore, Australia and worldwide
- ~ 3,000 publications over 10 years
- Reserach impact (high citation numbers)
- Versatile applications (Biomedical, Pharma, Cosmetic, Food,
Materials)
- Strong industrial interest (Bayer AG, BASF, L‘Oreal, Nestle...)
- Spin-off company Capsulution AG
Multifunctionality to Microcapsules (50nm – 50 mkm)
Microreactors
Macromolecule
encapsulation
Visualization,
Sensors
A+B
C
Protection
Cell-/TissueTargeting
Controlled
release
Remote activation
Magnetism
Most of activities are in:
- Novel Phys/Chem properties;
- Deliver systems;
- Cell biology tool
Delivering/Sensing Submarine
Floating in body Submarine
External triggering / reporting inside cells/tissues
Perspective Research Activities at SPbSPU
- BioMedical & BioPhysics
Single-cell biopsy/ Cell-to Cell communication
 Capsule-Surface interactions
 Fabrication of Release control over depot-systems
 In vivo studies for encapsulated drugs delivery
 and more…

Single-cell biopsy / Cell-to-Cell Communication
Capturing molecules intracellularly and delivery to other cells –
artificial exosomes exchange
Available expertise: Mass-Spec, Cell facilities
Collaboration: Prof. M.Khodorkovskii
Dr. Irina Nazarenko (Freiburg), Dr. Arkady Shipuline
Capsule – Surface Interaction
-
-
One of major problems of LbL microencapsulation technology – aggregation and sticking
to cell membranes when used in vivo.
Some coatings (PLL-g-PEG, Dextran) are proposed to cope with the problem, but are not
absolute solution.
Study adhesion aiming to optimize
selectivity to cell surface
Optical tweezers technique (M.
Khodorkovski’s group) to measure
interaction forces.
Fabrication and Release control of depot-systems
Fabrication and controlled gradual release
from microcapsules and its assemblies as
a depot-system.
Monitoring on cell culture/ Tissue
scaffolds
.
Modelling of Release kinetics
Animal Testing and More……
Partner for sample testing St. Petersburg Institute of Vaccines and Sera
Russian Ministry of Health
We open for New Ideas on Other Areas!
Outlook / Key Performance Indicators
In 2-3 years time:
- 3-4 academic staff/postdocs, PhD students, master students
Publications (IF>3):
- 1-2 (2015), 3-4 (2016, 2017..... and beyond)
Indusrial contracts and/or joint research grant (1-2 per year)
Research grants (RSF, ....EU, International) – 1 per year from 2016