Nanoimprint lithography based fabrication of size and shape-specific, enzymatically-triggered nanoparticles for drug delivery applications

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dc.contributor.advisorRoy, Krishnenduen
dc.contributor.advisorShi, Li, Ph. D.en
dc.creatorGlangchai, Luz Cristal Sanchez, 1977-en
dc.date.accessioned2008-08-29T00:17:00Zen
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-11T22:19:24Z
dc.date.available2008-08-29T00:17:00Zen
dc.date.available2017-05-11T22:19:24Z
dc.date.issued2008-05en
dc.descriptiontexten
dc.description.abstractOur ability to precisely manipulate size, shape, and composition of nanoscale carriers is essential for controlling their in-vivo transport, biodistribution, and drug release mechanism. Shape-specific, "smart" nanoparticles that deliver drugs or imaging agents to target tissues primarily in response to disease-specific or physiological signals could significantly improve therapeutic care of complex diseases. Current methods in nanoparticle synthesis do not allow such simultaneous control over particle size, shape, and environmentally-triggered drug release, especially at the sub-100 nm range. In this dissertation, we discuss the development of high-throughput nanofabrication techniques using synthetic and biological macromers (peptides) to produce highly monodisperse nanoparticles, as well as enzymatically-triggered nanoparticles, of precise sizes and shapes. We evaluated thermal nanoimprint lithography (ThNIL) and step and flash imprint lithography (SFIL) as two possible fabrication techniques. We successfully employed ThNIL and SFIL for fabricating nanoparticles and have extensively characterized the SFIL fabrication process, as well as the properties of the imprinted biopolymers. Particles as small as 50 nm were fabricated on silicon wafers and harvested directly into aqueous buffer using a biocompatible, one-step release technique. These methods provide a novel way to fabricate biocompatible nanoparticles with precise size and geometry. Furthermore, we developed an enzyme-degradable material system and demonstrated successful encapsulation and enzyme-triggered release of antibodies and nucleic acids from these imprinted nanoparticles; thus providing a potential means for disease-controlled delivery of biomolecules. Finally, we evaluated the bioactivity of the encapsulated therapeutics in-vitro. The development of the SFIL method for fabrication of biocompatible nanocarriers has great potential in the drug delivery field for its ability to create monodisperse particles of pre-designed geometry and size, and to incorporate stimulus-responsive release mechanisms. This research provides the potential to broaden the study of how particle size and shape affect the biodistribution of drugs within the body.en
dc.description.departmentBiomedical Engineeringen
dc.format.mediumelectronicen
dc.identifierb70661030en
dc.identifier.oclc243480370en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2152/3888en
dc.language.isoengen
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author. Presentation of this material on the Libraries' web site by University Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin was made possible under a limited license grant from the author who has retained all copyrights in the works.en
dc.subject.lcshNanotechnologyen
dc.subject.lcshNanoparticlesen
dc.subject.lcshMicrolithographyen
dc.subject.lcshDrug delivery systemsen
dc.subject.lcshPeptidesen
dc.titleNanoimprint lithography based fabrication of size and shape-specific, enzymatically-triggered nanoparticles for drug delivery applicationsen
dc.type.genreThesisen

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