Development of Caveospheres as a Targeted Analgesic Drug Delivery System

This thesis encompassed the engineering and optimisation of the nanoparticle, caveospheres, as a therapeutic drug delivery system (DDS) with use of a combination of protein and nanoparticle techniques. The versatility of caveospheres as a DDS is achievable via genetic manipulation of the Caveolin-1 protein. The Leu-enkephalin opioid peptide was used as a proof-of-concept that bioactive cargos can be attached on the caveosphere surface and remained biologically active. A cleavable linkage system was also designed, furthering diversification of caveospheres as a DDS. Overall, this thesis contributed to an improved understanding of the characteristics and potential of caveospheres as a DDS.