| Description |
Thesis concerns the investigation of guest-induced cyclodextrin (CD) nanotube formation and the self-aggregation of CDs. Progress has been made towards understanding the phenomenon from a structural thermodynamic viewpoint. The nanoaggregate formation was controlled by tuning the nature and concentration of the guest and/or the host. CD nanoaggregates of alpha-CDs, which are less cytotoxic, were shown to induce local opening of DNA via hydrogen-bonding interactions between DNA bases and hydroxyl groups on the surface of the nanoaggregates. These interactions may provide useful information on the opening of DNA in vivo. These aggregates also show potential as high-performance biomaterials. For example, the use of the nanoaggregates as drug delivery systems, where a controlled amount of drug is delivered to a target site, is also being studied. Many biocompatible hosts have been found and their nanoaggreages with CDs characterized. |