Nanoparticles for Enhanced Delivery of Chemotherapeutics
Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Major
Chemical Engineering
Research Advisor
Henthorn, David
Advisor's Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Funding Source
UMR Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program
Abstract
Delivery of the anticancer drug paclitaxel (commercially known as Taxol®) is difficult due to its limited solubility in aqueous media. Currently, hydrophobic drugs such as paclitaxel are emulsified and given intravenously. This approach, however, has several disadvantages with the main one being an allergic response to the emulsifier that occurs in some patients.
This study proposes a novel bubble bursting technique to generate nanoparticles of the chemotherapeutic in an effort to decrease potential side effects and improve the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs. The bubble bursting apparatus will be used to produce nanoparticles of a biodegradable polymer, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), as carriers for paclitaxel. The dissolved paclitaxel in this biodegradable polymer matrix will be released at a controlled rate for a more efficient delivery of the drug throughout the body. In addition, the nanoparticle formulations are easily dispersible in aqueous media, precluding the need for an emulsifying agent.
Biography
Emily is pursuing a major in biochemical engineering and a minor in pre-medicine. She is the daughter of Janet Hartrum and Hamid Bahram-ahi. Emily graduated from the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing at Northwest Missouri State University with an Associate of Science degree. She participated in the 2003 NASA SHARP (Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program) and was a Missouri Delegate of the National Youth Science Camp in 2004. She is a member of Chi Omega, Tau Beta Pi Honor Society, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, UMR Scrubs pre-professional organization, UMR TECHS peer education program, among others. Emily plans to attend medical school.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Presentation Date
12 Apr 2006, 1:00 pm
Nanoparticles for Enhanced Delivery of Chemotherapeutics
Delivery of the anticancer drug paclitaxel (commercially known as Taxol®) is difficult due to its limited solubility in aqueous media. Currently, hydrophobic drugs such as paclitaxel are emulsified and given intravenously. This approach, however, has several disadvantages with the main one being an allergic response to the emulsifier that occurs in some patients.
This study proposes a novel bubble bursting technique to generate nanoparticles of the chemotherapeutic in an effort to decrease potential side effects and improve the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs. The bubble bursting apparatus will be used to produce nanoparticles of a biodegradable polymer, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), as carriers for paclitaxel. The dissolved paclitaxel in this biodegradable polymer matrix will be released at a controlled rate for a more efficient delivery of the drug throughout the body. In addition, the nanoparticle formulations are easily dispersible in aqueous media, precluding the need for an emulsifying agent.
