G1F1 Application of a new high throughput platform for validation of mechanosensitive miRNA

Dual targeting and triggered delivery of biomacromolecules from layer-by-layer decorated gas filled

Open characterisation and modelling environment to drive innovation in advanced nano-architectured and bio-inspired hard/soft interfaces (OYSTER)

Major focus of the project is in surface design, controlled adhesion and development of surface characterisation techniques and their standardization. In particular, Nanoforce contribution in the project and relevant tasks are crossing other activity at SEMS what includes biofunctionalisation of surfaces to make hydrophobic surface hydrophilic and to produce thin polymeric films with micro-packaged bioactive agents. Also SEMS expertise in polymer processing will be expanded on polymer with drug coating. Further goal would be to make such a coating on various implants and stents. Developments of implants with designed mechanical properties could benefit with extra function added on it such as “micro-packaged” drug what could be used either to proliferate cell grow in case of grow factor encapsulation or, if needed, coatings antibacterial properties.

Remote controllable microdepot sytems for drug delivery

CNR International Exchanges Award

Margination of Microcapsules in Small Arteries

Vascular-targeted drug delivery using micro/nano-particles as drug carriers have been exploited in recent years in therapeutic interventions of cancer, cardiovascular, pulmonary and inflammatory diseases and so on. This approach has numerous advantages over conventional delivery (e.g., lower drug dosage and thus reduced side effects, sustained release), however, a major challenge is to improve cell selectivity and wall-adhesion efficiency by functionalizing the drug carriers. Extensive research has focused on identifying disease-associated biomolecules on the endothelium, or suitable antibody/peptides targeting these molecules, however, much less attention has been paid to a crucial haemodynamic aspect: will the drug carriers be able to migrate from the midstream of the blood to the RBC-free layer close to the vessel wall, under complex interactions with blood cells? This is particularly important in small arteries, where many diseases (e.g., arteriolosclerosis) develop but surgical operations become difficult. The aim of the present project is therefore to conduct a systematic study of the effects of system parameters, such as the blood flow condition, the particle shape, size etc on the cross-stream migration and margination of microparticles in blood flows in small arteries.     Specific research objectives are: 1, to develop experimental and computational platform to study the cross-stream migration and margination of microcapsules in blood flow in small arteries; 2, to investigate the effects of system parameters, such as the shape and size of the capsule, the flow inertia and shear rates, vessel geometry etc. on margination of microcapsules in blood flows; 3, to develop practical principles for engineering microcapsules with optimum margination in blood flow in small arteries.

Training Abroad: Sindeeva Olga Aleksandrovna

Training Abroad: Kurochkin Maksim Andreevich

Training Abroad: Brodovskaya Ekaterina Pavlovna

Targeted Drug Delivery to Neurons and Glia

Study Abroad Programme

Remote controlled delivery systems

Polymer based capsules could be made composite and their properties could be governed by remote physical influence such as light, magnetic field or ultrasound. Incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles inbetween layers make entire capsule magnetic. light harvesting gold or silver nanoparticles cold convert electromagnetic irradiation into local heat what resulted on capsule wall rupture. Ultrasound effect composite thin films compose dof polymers and nanoparticles what also leads to increased permeability and release of encapsulated materials. Thus, composite capsules could be navigated remotelyto site of interest and release cold be actived at designated areas

Micro- and nanoencapsulation of (bio)-active compounds in polyelectrolyte based capsules

Group has experienced wth encapsulation of various bioactive substances from drugs to large proteins and DNA into so called Layer-by-Layer capsules. Shell of capsules are made from different synthetic and natural polymers, including petides and polysaccharides. The technology provides defined size, ranging from 100nm till 10 microns, surface properties and shell permeability and release.

Flexible particles in flow: dynamics and applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical industries

Flexible particles (FP) including capsules, vesicles and cells are small droplets enclosed by thin membranes. They are widely found in nature and have numerous applications in food, cosmetic, textile, biomedical and pharmaceutical industries (e.g. drug delivery and release). In many applications FPs are subjected to external flows wherein quantities such as the local membrane stress and the internal and surrounding flow fields are very difficult to measure experimentally. However, these are critical parameters in many fields, for instance in the rupture control of capsules in flow (e.g., capsule breakup for drug release, damage of artificial red blood cells during circulation). Accurate mechanical modelling can provide reliable and detailed information on capsule motion, membrane stress and flow field, thereby serving as an essential component for the design, optimization and fabrication of FPs. However, this is very challenging since it involves strong interaction between the viscous fluids and an FP membrane, which is a thin solid shell and usually undergoes large deformation. The aims of present research mainly include: To develop accurate mechanical modelling and a software tool for the simulation of the dynamics of FPs in flow; To study the motion of FPs with different mechanical properties under various flow conditions and geometries, which will help to improve the understanding of FP dynamics and thus facilitate the design and optimization of FPs in various industrial sectors; To study the rheology of FPs suspensions from direct numerical simulation, benchmark existing asymptotic theories and propose new reduced constitutive models; To develop microfluidic devices for fabricating micro FPs with tailor-made mechanical properties, and for trapping or separating of cells; To investigate the complex mechanism of cell-cell, cell-wall interactions.

Carbonized polymeric microstructures

synthesis of carbon nanoparticles is made in situ within polymeric multilayer films. this alter the film properties, such as conductivity, mechanical and light responsiveness

Capsules as Tool for Intracellur delivery and sensing

Polyelectrolyte capsules could be entrapped by biological cells. Encapsulated cargo could serve to deliver a particular substances to the cells via gradual or triggered release inside the cells. Beside that encapsulation of sensing elements into capsules is used as explorer of cell interior. Optical sensing is based on fluorescent signal.