Abstract

Microfluidic Encapsulation of Therapeutic Agents in Microdroplets and Nanoparticles

Dong-Pyo Kim, Yonsan Chaired Professor, Center for Intelligent Microprocess of Pharmaceutical Synthesis, POSTECH

Microdroplets (µ-droplet) and nanoparticles (NPs) have been attracted significant interest in the past decades to address different drug delivery challenges, including poor bioavailability, poor drug solubility, and lack of targeted delivery. Traditionally, µ-droplet and NPs are often produced using bulk methods. In comparison, microfluidics offers a new strategy for making µ-droplet and NPs with controlled shape and homogeneous size due to rapid mass transfer and precise control over reaction conditions. Herein, we present a continuous-flow method for effectively encapsulating various therapeutic agents (enzymes, chelators, magnetic nanoparticles, bio-imaging agents, etc.) into uniform size of polymeric µ-droplet and inorganic NPs by microfluidics. Furthermore, we controlled the mixing time between the reactants of carrier and the therapeutic agent by forming various flow patterns (chaotic, multiple-laminar flow) and developed a drug delivery system with an improved therapeutic effect through flow control. This work will contribute effective encapsulation of therapeutic agents in µ-droplet and NPs, which would be extended to biomedical applications.