MIT Develops Durable Injectable Gels
Chemical engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have designed an injectable gel with improved durability for use in drug delivery.
Shear-thinning hydrogels can be injected into the body to carry drugs or cells to regenerate damaged tissue, but these hydrogels are vulnerable to degradation by mechanical stresses. Chemical engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a gel that is made durable by a polymeric reinforcing network, which is activated when the gel is heated to body temperature (37 °C).
The research team, led by Bradley Olsen, an assistant professor of chemical engineering at MIT, worked with a protein hydrogel that consisted of loosely packed proteins held together by links between protein segments. Polymers attached to the ends of each protein are soluble in water and float freely in the gel at lower temperatures. When heated to body temperature, however, the polymers become insoluble, separate out of solution, and join together to form a reinforcing grid within the gel.
The researchers found that gels with this reinforcing network were significantly stiffer and much slower to degrade when exposed to mechanical stress. This offers a promising way to thwart the tendency of shear thinning materials to erode once in the body, said Jason Burdick, an associate professor of bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania, in the MIT press release.
The gels can also be tuned to degrade over time, which would be useful for long-term drug release. The researchers are now working on ways to control this feature, as well as incorporating different types of biological functions into the gels, according to the release.
Navigating Annex 1 for Early Phase Sterile Fill Finish in Clinical Supplies
November 21st 2024Stay compliant with Annex 1 for early phase sterile fill finish processes. Discover how to implement robust contamination control strategies, integrate isolator technology, and conduct integrity testing to meet stringent European Union standards. The guide provides a comprehensive look at key elements such as PUPSIT, critical zone controls, and monitoring and training for aseptic processes.
Why is the PDA Pharmaceutical Microbiology Conference the Hottest Ticket in the Industry?
October 10th 2024Get a glimpse of the power and popularity behind the PDA Pharmaceutical Microbiology Conference from two planning committee members, Julia Marre, PhD (Associate Director, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at Pocket Naloxone Corp) and Dawn Watson (Executive Director, Global Micro Quality and Sterility Assurance at Merck). This candid conversation reveals why this industry event is so influential…and always sold out! The speakers discuss what makes the PDA Pharmaceutical Microbiology Conference so vital to industry professionals, as well as how to become a part of this dynamic professional community.
Ensuring Quality from the Start: Raw Materials Testing Support
November 21st 2024Raw Materials are the foundation of every biopharma product. Our ultimate guide highlights how our testing support can help you establish purity, identity, and quality standards, ensuring a smooth manufacturing process and adherence to regulatory requirements.
Ensure the Safety of Allogeneic Therapies with Advanced qPCR Testing
November 21st 2024Elevate your viral screening with Eurofins BioPharma Product Testing’s qPCR- based assays. Our advanced testing goes beyond standard screenings to detect even dormant and hard-to-detect pathogens, ensuring comprehensive safety in every stage of the allogeneic therapy pipeline. Protect your products – and your patients- with industry-leading sensitivity and specificity.
