Novel materials and methods for protein and cell bioencapsulation

生物胶囊化包括将组织、酶和治疗性生物药品包装成聚合物基质。由此产生的结构可以保护并控制胰岛素等脆弱药物的释放。例如，我正在进行胰岛素口服给药的研究，其中释放的胰岛素或纳米胶囊形式从肠道吸收。在患者依从性和舒适度方面，对加拿大糖尿病患者的益处是巨大的，但科学和工程方面的挑战也是相当大的。特别是，酸性、富含酶的胃和肠道是胰岛素输送的主要障碍。我在自然科学和工程方面的研究目标是专注于胰岛素的输送，使用新的封装方法和材料。该提案围绕四个目标展开，并通过胰岛素输送相互关联。第一个目标是实现微颗粒长期（数周）持续递送低水平胰岛素，然后最终实现嵌入天然聚合物泡沫或薄膜中的微颗粒递送。长期目标是为烧伤设计敷料。第二个目标是用合成的细胞基质蛋白支架包裹人类胰岛细胞，所有这些都在聚合物颗粒内。加拿大在胰岛植入治疗方面处于领先地位，这一举措可以促进糖尿病治疗的进步。第三和第四个目标是化学修饰天然聚合物，提供自然界中不存在的新型生物材料，以前也没有合成过。目的是将新的生物材料用于药物输送应用，以及诊断和生物分离。这项研究为培养高素质人才提供了令人兴奋的机会，因为它是多学科的，跨越化学/生化/生物医学工程，重点是新的先进生物聚合物材料和结构，以及纳米技术，并通过适当的实验方法和仪器支持。经过培训的研究人员将进入制药、生物医学设备、先进材料、生物技术和学术界等对加拿大具有战略重要性的领域。

Bioencapsulation involves packaging tissues, enzymes, and therapeutic biopharmaceuticals, into a polymeric matrix. The resulting structures can protect, then control release of a fragile drug such as insulin. As example, I am conducting research on oral delivery of insulin, where either released insulin or the nanoencapsulated form is absorbed from the intestinal tract. The benefits to Canadian diabetics are enormous in terms of patient compliance and comfort, but the scientific and engineering challenges are also considerable. In particular, the acidic, enzyme-rich stomach and intestinal track are major barriers to insulin delivery. The objective of my research in the natural sciences and engineering is to focus on insulin delivery using novel approaches in encapsulation methods and materials. The proposal is built around four objectives, interrelated through insulin delivery. The first objective is to achieve long term (weeks) sustained delivery of low insulin levels from microparticles, then ultimately from microparticles embedded within natural polymer foams or films. The long-term goal is to design dressings for burn injuries. The second objective is to encapsulate human islet cells with fabricated cell matrix protein scaffold, all within a polymeric particle. Canada is a leader in islet implantation therapies, and this initiative can contribute to the advancement of diabetes treatment. The third and fourth objectives are to chemically modify natural polymers providing novel biomaterials that do not exist in nature, and have not been previously synthesized. The intent is to use the new biomaterials for drug delivery applications, and in diagnostics and bioseparations. This research provides exciting opportunity for training of highly qualified personnel, since it is multi-disciplinary, spanning chemical/biochemical/biomedical engineering with emphasis on new advanced biopolymeric materials and structures, and nanotechnology, supported through appropriate experimental methods and instrumentation. Trained researchers will advance to careers in pharmaceuticals, biomedical devices, advanced materials, biotechnology, and academia - areas of strategic importance to Canada.