Functionalized Nanoparticle Release and Distribution in PEG Hydrogel Delivery Systems

Published

July 18, 2012

Author(s)

Stephanie L. Hume, Jenifer L. Blacklock, Kavita M. Jeerage

Abstract

Nanoparticles have emerged as a promising therapeutic tool due to their unique physicochemical properties and tunable biological interactions. Delivery of therapeutic nanoparticles can be enhanced locally through standard drug-delivery platforms, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels. In this work, functionalized nanoparticles were encapsulated in three-dimensional PEG hydrogels with varying mesh size. Nanoparticle size, surface chemistry, and hydrogel mesh size all influenced the release of particles from the hydrogel matrix, as demonstrated by measurements of particles in solution. Size influenced nanoparticle diffusion as expected, with larger particles diffusing more slowly. However, negatively charged nanoparticles diffused out of the gel at slower rates than neutrally charged nanoparticles of the same size. To further investigate the distribution and transport of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and quantum dots (QDs) within the PEG hydrogel matrix, a novel transmission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique has been developed. This method provides improved nano-scale resolution of particles embedded within relatively thick hydrogel sections.

Proceedings Title

Transactions of the 39th Annual Meeting & Exposition of the Controlled Release Society

Conference Dates

July 15-18, 2012

Conference Location

Quebec City

Conference Title

39th Annual Meeting & Exposition of the Controlled Release Society

Pub Type

Conferences

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Citation

Hume, S. , Blacklock, J. and Jeerage, K. (2012), Functionalized Nanoparticle Release and Distribution in PEG Hydrogel Delivery Systems, Transactions of the 39th Annual Meeting & Exposition of the Controlled Release Society, Quebec City, -1, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=910890 (Accessed April 19, 2024)