Ultrasound-enhanced polymer degradation is used to improve the quality and rate of polymer degradation and the polymer’s ability to release encapsulated substances. The goal of this research is to study how drug delivery methods can be improved by allowing the enclosed drug(s) travel to targeted areas in a controlled manner and by improving the release
Faculty Mentor: Brent Vernon
Ultrasound Cleavable Polymers for Reversible Vascular Embolization
Embolization therapy uses either particles, metal coils, or balloons to reduce blood supply to a targeted area, starving cancerous tissues. This proposal focuses on creating a polymer that can change from a gelled to a liquid state under high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). With this an embolism that has been mistakenly placed or dislodged can be
Liquid Embolic Synthesis for Aneurysm Occlusion
The objective of this research is to create an injectable liquid embolic that can degrade as tissue is regenerated for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. To achieve this, a Michael Addition is formed upon injection of Poly(N-Isopropilacrylamide-co-GAPGLF Acrylate) [Poly(NIPAAm-co-GAPGLF-Ac] and pentaetythritol tetrakis 3-mercaptopriopionate [QT] at 37°C with a neutral pH, resulting in a gelation. Due
Tyrosine Infused Micro Particles
The goal of this research is to encapsulate tyrosine in microparticles and determine the release rate to find the desired concentration to encapsulate. After designing a protocol to create microparticles, using Ultra Violet Spectroscopy and many samples with different concentrations, a calibration curve was created to use as a reference for upcoming encapsulation tests. These
Ultrasound Cleavable Polymers for Reversible Vascular Embolization
Synthesizing a polymer that can be broken down with ultrasound can improve the safety of embolization therapy for cancer.
Norepinephrine and Adenosine Infused Microparticles for Brown Adipose Tissue Stimulation
The objective for this semester is to develop and optimize a protocol that consistently fabricates biodegradable microparticles of the correct dimensions, surface morphology, and narrows size distribution via fluid dynamics. This objective is being completed via proof-of-principle experiments and a DOE study. The proof-of-principle experiments allow for the exploration and proof of concept while the
Bioresponsive Copolymers of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with Enzyme-Dependent Lower Critical Solution Temperatures
Enzyme-degradable hydrogels are desirable for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications because they mimic biological systems. The aim of the project was to synthesize and characterize injectable, bioresponsive and bioresorbable poly(NIPAAm)-based copolymers with enzyme-degradable side chains. These copolymers may be useful for applications such as enzyme-triggered drug delivery and bioresorbable scaffolds for tissue engineering. The
