Biodegradable Polymersomes for the Delivery of Gemcitabine to Panc-1 Cells

Figure 1

Schematic representation of PolyGem. In aqueous solution, poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(caprolactone) (PEO-PCL) self-assemble into spherical polymer vesicles (polymersomes), with the hydrophobic PCL chains orienting end to end to form the bilayer. The figure represents a uniaxial cross section of the polymersome, with gemcitabine (⎔) encapsulated in the aqueous lumen. Vesicles can also be made to include PZn₃  (○) in the hydrophobic membrane.