In our thermodynamics laboratory, a variety of physical chemistry, surface and colloidal chemistry, and biophysical methods are used to address important thermodynamic properties of a large diversity of biomolecules, such as fatty acids, lipids, lecithins, amino acids, proteins, polysaccharides, cyclodextrines, pigments and drugs. Also, their supramolecular associations and nanostructures both in bulk and in self assemblies at interfaces are investigated in interaction with metal nanoparticles or metal nanostructured films supported by various surfaces.

We have developed different strategies for molecular encapsulation of different drugs in cyclodextrins (non-toxic carrier biocompounds) to improve the drug aqueous solubility, stability and bioavailability. The inclusion complexes or supramolecular associations of different drugs in cyclodextrins can be obtained by different preparation methods: kneading, co precipitation or freeze-drying. Their self-assemblies with glycolipid and lectins are investigated by using spectroscopic (¹H NMR, FTIR), X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to evidence their formation. For the physical and chemical characterization (thermodynamic aspects, stoichiometry, stability) of these nanostructures, ¹H NMR spectroscopic method can be used. Molecular modeling (MM+ molecular mechanics) is employed to see the spatial architectures of the mentioned supramolecular associations.