Functional nano-enabled drug delivery systems
The laboratory of Alexandra Teleki is in the area of pharmaceutical nanotechnology and uses nanomaterials to develop multifunctional and clinically translatable drug delivery systems. The aim is to bridge the gap of innovative and scalable nanotechnology research to clinically relevant, patient-compliant diagnosis and treatment.
The work capitalizes on the scalable and reproducible manufacture of functional nanoparticles by flame spray synthesis. We have advanced the flame synthesis of nanoparticles by developing a reactor that produces in a single step core-shell nanoparticles with fine and independent control over core particle properties and shell coating thickness. A wide spectrum of materials can be produced with this technology, such as magnetic (superparamagnetic iron oxide: SPION), plasmonic (Au, Ag), luminescent (nanophosphors), and pH sensitive nanoparticles. The coating layer (SiO2) enables the facile surface functionalization of such nanoparticles with targeting ligands to selected disease biomarkers. These nanomaterials are then used in the assembly of microcapsules that host specific drug molecules where the nanoparticles in the shell enable bioimaging, targeted delivery or controlled release. We employ rigorous solid state characterization of our nanomaterials to ensure reproducibility. The advanced multiscale drug delivery systems are tested in state-of-the-art in vitro cell- and tissue-based intestinal models.
Currently, we are particularly interested in developing a novel MRI-based diagnostic technique for inflammatory bowel disease using SPION. Furthermore, we employ the SPION in the shell of colloidal capsules, that carry biological drugs with hyperthermia triggered local release at the disease site. Another focus area is the 3D printing of personalized oral dosage forms for pediatrics incorporating hybrid, lipid nanocarrier drug delivery systems solubilizing poorly water-soluble drug compounds. The development of such novel drug formulations at the interface of materials and pharmaceutical sciences will broaden their functionality to meet the future needs of the healthcare industry in establishing personalized treatment of patients.
Alexandra Teleki, Assistant Professor
Shno Asad, PhD student
Recruitment of postdoctoral fellow ongoing (spring 2019)
alexandra.teleki@farmaci.uu.se