Engineering Commons^™

Synthesis Of Multilayered Microparticles For Targeted Drug Delivery, Elizabeth Mercer

Open Access Theses

Microparticles have been shown to be valuable in targeted drug delivery which can lead to an increased dose delivered to a targeted location, reduced patient side effects, and improved patient outcomes. The designed multilayered microparticles have the clinical application to deliver hydrophobic drugs to a targeted area. The composition of the microparticles consists of a poly-lactic acid (PLA) polymer core surrounded by a polymeric shell composed of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Poly(ethylene glycol)-Maleimide(PLGA-PEG-Mal). The maleimide promotes conjugation of the collagen binding peptide, SILY. Targeting to type I collagen allows for this microparticle system to attach to exposed collagen in atherosclerotic vessels.

A novel …

Controlling Protein Release Using Biodegradable Microparticles, Benjamin Patrick Kline

Open Access Theses

Research in the field of protein therapeutics has exploded over the past decade and continues to grow in both academia and in industry. Protein drugs have advantages of being highly specific and highly active making them coveted targets for high profile disease states like cancer and multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, their many advantages are complemented by their obstacles. Because proteins are highly active and highly specific, the window between efficacy and toxicity is very narrow and drug development can be long and arduous. In addition, protein activity is dependent on its specific folding conformation that is easily disrupted by a variety …