Development of polymeric liquid crystals for the preparation of microspheres responsive to magnetic fields

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Our long term goal is to prepare drug-filled particles that can be made to release their drug when a magnet is held above them. The materials that give these non-toxic polymer particles their response function are liquid crystals. The main work to be performed during this project is the preparation and chemical combination of polymers and liquid crystals, which respond to magnetic fields with measurable phase changes. The magneto-sensitive liquid crystal polymers will be made into membranes and tested for their ability to regulate the amount of drug that permeates the membrane with and without an applied magnetic field. In the future, successful polymeric liquid crystals can be made into injectable particle suspensions or implantable drug delivery devices that can function as externally activatable reservoirs of highly effective drugs. Applications include tumour therapy with minimal side effects and maximized cancer killing, treatment of depression and psychotic diseases with immediate onset of action, and management of chronic pain.