Polymeric
nanocapsules have been studied as drug delivery carriers
for a great variety of drugs for more than 30 years. In particular,
nonspherical polymeric nanoparticles with solid cores are highlighted
for their capability to influence cellular uptake and circulation
time in the bloodstream. However, the promising combination of nonspherical
morphology and the existence of an internal cavity to encapsulate
a high dose of pharmaceutical actives has not yet been fully achieved.
This review systematically addresses the development of nonspherical
nanocapsules with a cross-linked shell or self-assembled membrane
(polymersomes). Ellipsoidal, tetrahedral, cubic, protrusion-shaped,
dumbbell-shaped, and snowman-shaped nanocapsules are discussed. The
relationship between the formed morphologies and the use of different
templates, monomers, or methods of polymerization are elucidated for
future design of more functional shapes.
Digestible amphiphilic lipids offer an opportunity to use birefringence of self-assembled lipid phases as a signal for a new class of electronics-free and colour-free visual biosensor.
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