Integrated Synthesis and Characterisation of Organic Nanoparticles Using Microfluidic Technology for Drug Delivery Applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering & the Environment
Abstract
Over the last decade, nanomedicine has emerged as a new field of medicine where nanoscale materials has been used to deliver a wide range of pharmaceutically active organic compounds such as drugs, genes, and imaging agents. There remain challenges, however, to synthesise and formulate organic compound based nanostructured materials, although the synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials has indeed been extensively studied over decades with good control of particle shape and size. Consequently, special formulation techniques are required to disperse the solid organic materials into water, maintain the dispersion for a certain time period, and functionalise the organic nanoparticles. Using selected experimental systems, we propose taking a radically new fast approach for making nanoscale particles and formulating them, which will not only do away with the grinding process but will also lead to a better understanding of the basic science behind product formulation allowing us to develop new improved products. The proposed method is based on the so-called Lab-on-a-Chip concept which represents the potential to shrink conventional bench chemical systems to the size of a few centimeters square. The main feature of such micro systems is the micron scale channel network with a channel width of about 100 micrometers (about the diameter of a human hair), where chemicals are brought together, using a variety of pumping techniques, for synthesis, separation or analysis. Relevant to the formulation of organic nanoparticles, the advantages of microfluidic and Lab-on-a-Chip technology will enable us to not only make particles of a very well controlled size distribution, but also integrate a number of measurement systems into the microreactor in order to monitor the process when the particles are generated, and more importantly, to institute real time feedback. It is envisaged this development will, for the first time, let us understand more about what is important in formulation science and how we can develop new strategies for new and better products in the future.
Organisations
Publications
Capretto L
(2011)
Continuous-flow production of polymeric micelles in microreactors: experimental and computational analysis.
in Journal of colloid and interface science
Capretto L
(2011)
Micromixing within microfluidic devices.
in Topics in current chemistry
Capretto L
(2010)
Microfluidic reactors for controlled synthesis of polymeric micelles.
in Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society
Capretto L
(2012)
Mithramycin encapsulated in polymeric micelles by microfluidic technology as novel therapeutic protocol for beta-thalassemia.
in International journal of nanomedicine
Capretto L
(2013)
Microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip preparation routes for organic nanoparticles and vesicular systems for nanomedicine applications.
in Advanced drug delivery reviews
Capretto L
(2012)
Mechanism of co-nanoprecipitation of organic actives and block copolymers in a microfluidic environment.
in Nanotechnology
Capretto L
(2013)
Production of polymeric micelles by microfluidic technology for combined drug delivery: application to osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (hPDLSCs).
in International journal of pharmaceutics
Capretto L
(2010)
Production of low cost microfluidic chips by a "shrinking" approach: applications to emulsion and microparticle production.
in Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society
Mazzitelli S
(2011)
Optimised production of multifunctional microfibres by microfluidic chip technology for tissue engineering applications.
in Lab on a chip
Mazzitelli S
(2010)
Process optimization for the production of alginate microparticles containing wjmscs by a design of experiments (doe) approach.
in Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society
Description | (i). Optimised processes for design and fabrication of microfluidic devices; (ii). Quantitative characterisation and modelling of microfluidic dynamics; (iii). Controlled synthesis of nano- and micro- structured drug delivery systems; (iv). Evaluation of nano- and micro- structured drug delivery systems. |
Exploitation Route | Key scientific findings and development from the Award have paved ways for the development of further proposals related to nanomedicine synthesis and drug delivery. The technology platform has also been employed by industrial partners to assist their product design and evaluation. |
Sectors | Chemicals,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | http://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/about/staff/xz1f06.page#publications |
Description | Impact generated from the Award include: i). Initial implementation of microfluidic technologies/systems by a medical device manufacturers for evaluating embolic devices, and by a pharmaceutical company for continuous flow synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates; ii). Developing extensive expertise in microfluidics, and training personnel in a rapidly expanding area with a shortage of people, resulting in 2 PhDs winning the Best Medical Engineering PhD Thesis 2013, and the UK Life Sciences Skills Award for Postgraduate of the Year 2012. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Biocompatibles Ltd |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 10962/01 |
Organisation | BTG |
Department | Biocompatibles |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2012 |
End | 07/2016 |
Description | Biocompatibles Ltd |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 10962/01 |
Organisation | BTG |
Department | Biocompatibles |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2012 |
End | 07/2016 |
Title | Microfluidic devices and methods for in vitro testing of therapeutic biofluidic-related procedures |
Description | The development of microfluidic devices and methods has been used for for in vitro testing of therapeutic biofluidic-related procedures such as blood flow, chemoembolisation. and stended ureteric flow. |
Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
Year Produced | 2011 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This research tool and method have been provided to an industrial collaborator for evaluating their products. |