Hyaluronic acid is an excellent biocompatible material for in vivo applications. Its ability to bind CD44, a cell receptor involved in numerous biological processes, predetermines HA-based nanomaterials as unique carrier for therapeutic and theranostic applications. Although numerous methods for the synthesis of hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (HANPs) are available today, their low reproducibility and wide size distribution hinder the precise assessment of the effect on the organism. A robust and reproducible approach for producing HANPs that meet strict criteria for in vivo applications (e.g., to lung parenchyma) remains challenging. We designed and evaluated four protocols for the preparation of HANPs with those required parameters. The HA molecule was cross-linked by novel combinations of carbodiimide, and four different amine-containing compounds resulted in monodisperse HANPs with a low polydispersity index. By a complex postsynthetic characterization, we confirmed that the prepared HANPs meet the criteria for inhaled therapeutic delivery and other in vivo applications.

Quaternized 167 nm poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate- co -ethylene dimethacrylate] nanogel by dispersion polymerization in water/2-methoxyethanol medium induced death of pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii .

Poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) microspheres of narrow size distribution were prepared by (2-hydroxypropyl)cellulose-stabilized dispersion copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene in a 2-methoxyethanol/ethanol mixture under continuous addition of divinylbenzene. The copolymerization was initiated with dibenzoyl peroxide. The obtained microspheres were chloromethylated using several chloromethylation agents and then hypercrosslinked. Their porous structure was analyzed by nitrogen adsorption and mercury porosimetry. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were precipitated within the pores of microspheres from Fe(II) and Fe(III) chloride solution. The Fe content in the microspheres was determined by carbon analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Magnetic properties of the microspheres were characterized by magnetization curves and the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility. Finally, sulfo groups were introduced into the microspheres to prepare an immunomagnetic electrochemical biosensor for protein detection with ovalbumin as a model substance.