Development of Supramolecular Non-gated and Stimuli-responsive Channels for Selective Ion Transport and Chemotherapeutic Applications

Abstract

The fundamental aim of this thesis is the development of new artificial ion transport systems for therapeutic applications. The main focus of my research was to develop the biomimetic supramolecular ion channels which can perform the ion transport across the liposomal and cell membrane with potential therapeutic applications. The remarkable challenge was to develop the approaches for the stimulus-responsive nature of the channels which could open new ways to carry out the transport selectively in the desired cells. We have successfully developed new approaches that ensure the disassembly of these supramolecular architectures in the membrane phase and upon specific signal, the self-assembly can be reassured for the formation of an active ion channel. Further, these systems were found to have efficient apoptosis-inducing activity as well as the induction of autophagy in cancer cells. These studies would pave a new way for the developments of therapeutics for cancer treatment.