Department
Chemistry
Major
Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Sotiriou-Leventis, Chariklia
Advisor's Department
Chemistry
Funding Source
National Science Foundation (NSF); OURE
Abstract
This study explores the potential to predict the drug loading and release profiles of aerogels based on their morphologies: a milestone in drug delivery research which can help save time and cost invested in formulating new aerogel drug carriers and cut-down evaluation of the drug delivery capabilities of aerogels to a few experimental runs. Polyurea (PUA) and poly (isocyanurate-urethane) (PIR-PUR) aerogels were used as model systems while 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and paracetamol (PM) were used as model drugs. These model systems were chosen because they can be synthesized into different morphologies identified by the so-called K-index (contact angle:porosity). The model drugs were loaded onto the aerogels using a physical adsorption method, and the drug-loaded aerogels were characterized with FT-IR, SEM, DSC, XPS and UV spectroscopy. Drugs could fill the porous network of the aerogels up to about 10% v/v and their release mechanism was predominantly through Fickian diffusion. Comparing all the morphologies studied, aerogels with K-indexes 1.2-1.6 could load larger amounts of drug, those with K-indexes 1.5 and 2.2 were more suitable for immediate-release formulations, those with K-indexes 1.2, 1.3 and 1.6- 2.0 were more suitable for sustained release formulations, and nanofibrous morphology (K-index = 1.6) was more suitable for controlled release formulations.
Biography
Kamden George is a Junior majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Chemistry working as an OURE student in Dr. Chariklia Sotiriou-Leventis' chemistry lab. His research focuses on the effect of morphology on two aerogels, polyurea and poly (isocyanurate-urethane), and how different morphologies affect the ability of the aerogels to hold and release drugs, e.g. 5-fluorouracil and Paracetemol. Outside of the lab, Kamden works as a scribe in the Emergency Department at Phelps Health and enjoys football. Kamden plans to apply to PA school after attaining his baccalaureate degree.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Sciences Poster Session - First Place
Location
Innovation Forum - 1st Floor Innovation Lab
Presentation Date
10 April 2024, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Effect of Morphology as a Function of the K-index on the Drug Loading and Release Profiles in Polyurea and Poly(isocyanurate-urethane) Aerogels
Innovation Forum - 1st Floor Innovation Lab
This study explores the potential to predict the drug loading and release profiles of aerogels based on their morphologies: a milestone in drug delivery research which can help save time and cost invested in formulating new aerogel drug carriers and cut-down evaluation of the drug delivery capabilities of aerogels to a few experimental runs. Polyurea (PUA) and poly (isocyanurate-urethane) (PIR-PUR) aerogels were used as model systems while 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and paracetamol (PM) were used as model drugs. These model systems were chosen because they can be synthesized into different morphologies identified by the so-called K-index (contact angle:porosity). The model drugs were loaded onto the aerogels using a physical adsorption method, and the drug-loaded aerogels were characterized with FT-IR, SEM, DSC, XPS and UV spectroscopy. Drugs could fill the porous network of the aerogels up to about 10% v/v and their release mechanism was predominantly through Fickian diffusion. Comparing all the morphologies studied, aerogels with K-indexes 1.2-1.6 could load larger amounts of drug, those with K-indexes 1.5 and 2.2 were more suitable for immediate-release formulations, those with K-indexes 1.2, 1.3 and 1.6- 2.0 were more suitable for sustained release formulations, and nanofibrous morphology (K-index = 1.6) was more suitable for controlled release formulations.
