Synthesis of Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)-based Sol-Gel Nanoparticles with Controlled Drug Release Properties
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Catrena Lisse
Abstract
While HIV and AIDS incidence has optimistically decreased in the United States, African Americans remain the foremost racial group implicated in burgeoning diagnoses. This disproportionate affinity is substantially forged from the scarce and discriminatory prevention care (PrEp) to which they are predisposed. Diverging from conventional routes of drug delivery will increase ease of use, thereby improving patient compliance and optimizing patient outcomes - the fundamental motivation for this undergraduate research project. Many biomolecules including drugs like Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), HIV antiviral, can be released from sol-gels and the quantity and duration of the release can vary widely. Processing parameters render these release properties exquisitely versatile. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)-based hydrogels, with drug-releasing properties, were formulated through TEOS hydrolysis followed by modifications to the volume and pH of the colloidal suspension. After entrapping and encapsulating fluorescein as a prototypical drug, the drug-release properties were investigated by altering the pH and age of the sol-gel nanoparticles. Ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to monitor the fluorescein release. Future work includes imaging of the sol-gel nanoparticle using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental methodology and preliminary results will be highlighted in the presentation.
Start Date
27-3-2024 10:00 AM
End Date
27-3-2024 10:50 AM
Location
Magnolia Ballroom
Synthesis of Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)-based Sol-Gel Nanoparticles with Controlled Drug Release Properties
Magnolia Ballroom
While HIV and AIDS incidence has optimistically decreased in the United States, African Americans remain the foremost racial group implicated in burgeoning diagnoses. This disproportionate affinity is substantially forged from the scarce and discriminatory prevention care (PrEp) to which they are predisposed. Diverging from conventional routes of drug delivery will increase ease of use, thereby improving patient compliance and optimizing patient outcomes - the fundamental motivation for this undergraduate research project. Many biomolecules including drugs like Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), HIV antiviral, can be released from sol-gels and the quantity and duration of the release can vary widely. Processing parameters render these release properties exquisitely versatile. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)-based hydrogels, with drug-releasing properties, were formulated through TEOS hydrolysis followed by modifications to the volume and pH of the colloidal suspension. After entrapping and encapsulating fluorescein as a prototypical drug, the drug-release properties were investigated by altering the pH and age of the sol-gel nanoparticles. Ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to monitor the fluorescein release. Future work includes imaging of the sol-gel nanoparticle using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental methodology and preliminary results will be highlighted in the presentation.