Honors Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2026

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Eden Tanner

Second Advisor

Emily Rowland

Third Advisor

Vitor Pomin

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

This study focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of ionic liquids intended for biomedical applications, specifically targeting the bone marrow to protect hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The bone marrow plays an important role in RBC production, and genetic mutations can lead to severe conditions such as bone marrow failure and leukemia. Therefore, creating targeted delivery systems that can protect and preserve HSC function is of significant clinical importance. In this work, ionic liquids were synthesized using combinations of N-octanohydrazide (N-OHZ), thiodipropionic acid (TDP), choline (CAC), and 3-nonenoic acid (3-NE). These components were selected based on their structural complementarity, biocompatibility, and potential for targeted delivery. Choline was incorporated to enhance biocompatibility, while 3-NE was explored for its potential role in neutrophil-mediated “hitchhiking”, a mechanism that may improve transport to the bone marrow. N-OHZ and TDP were used as key structural components due to their functional groups, which support ionic liquid formation and stability. The synthesized ILs were characterized using proton NMR, carbon-13 NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. NMR and FTIR confirmed the presence of expected functional groups and bond formation, while mass spectrometry confirmed molecular weights and fragmentation patterns. Despite some fragmentation, particularly in TDP-containing compounds, key peaks confirmed successful synthesis. Overall, the results demonstrate the successful formation of ionic liquids with strong potential for biomedical applications. These ILs provide a promising platform for nanoparticle-based drug delivery, with future studies focusing on cytotoxicity and targeted delivery to the bone marrow. This work establishes a foundation for strategies aimed at protecting HSCs and improving treatments for bone marrow-related diseases.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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