Cellular Mechanisms: Understanding Internal Processes and Escape Strategies

This lecture discusses the processes that occur inside cells after particles are taken up. It begins by explaining the importance of understanding what happens inside a cell once a particle enters. The instructor describes the role of lysosomes and endosomes, emphasizing the significance of pH levels in digestion and recycling of materials. The lecture details how particles can escape from these cellular compartments to avoid degradation. Various mechanisms are presented, including the use of proton sponge effects and osmotic pressure to facilitate escape. The instructor also highlights the potential of cell-penetrating peptides to aid in direct delivery of cargo into cells. The lecture concludes with a summary of the strategies for ensuring that engineered particles can effectively deliver their payloads without being digested by lysosomal enzymes, thus maintaining their functionality within the cellular environment.