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Development of a gastric delivery system for micronutrient supplementation using advanced manufacturing techniques
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most widespread nutritional deficiencies worldwide, increasing the risk for disability and death for more than two billion people. Iron supplements are needed for prevention of iron deficiency, especially among infants, children and pregnant women, and for correction of IDA in all affected individuals. Conventional iron supplements, commonly cause nausea, epigastric discomfort and other gastrointestinal side effects that lead many individuals to discontinue and avoid their use.
In this project, gastric resident systems (GDSs) will be produced using advanced manufacturing approaches (e.g., 3D printing) and the resulting release kinetic of the bioactive compounds will be characterized. Based on the results, different GDSs 3D design, formulations, and combination of active compounds will be tested.
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most widespread nutritional deficiencies worldwide, increasing the risk for disability and death for more than two billion people. Lack of iron causes anemia, impairs cognitive development, decreases work capacity, and when severe, increases the risk of death during pregnancy, infancy and childhood. Iron supplements are needed for prevention of iron deficiency, especially among infants, children and pregnant women, and for correction of IDA in all affected individuals. Conventional iron supplements, given as a bolus dose, commonly cause nausea, epigastric discomfort and other gastrointestinal side effects that lead many individuals to discontinue and avoid their use.
Recently, novel manufacturing techniques (e.g., 3D printing) and biomaterial platforms have become available for ad-hoc additive manufacturing, which have high versatility and flexibility, so that more personalised products could be produced targeting physiological characteristics of specific vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and women of reproductive age.
In this project, a screening of literature review and potential suitable materials will be conducted. The goal will be to find candidate polymers that ensures loading of bioactive compounds at clinical relevant dosage. In a second step, these polymer will be used to formulate bioinks. Gastric resident systems (GDSs) will be produced using advanced manufacturing approaches (e.g., 3D printing) and the resulting release kinetic of the bioactive compounds will be characterized. Based on the results, different GDSs 3D design, formulation, and combination of active compounds will be tested. In case needed, mechanical and chemical characterization of formulated bioinks will be performed (e.g., rheological, printability, and swelling properties).
For this internship/master thesis, we are looking for an enterprising student with background in pharmaceutical science, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, material science or similar field. Previous experience in drug formulation, nanoparticles and liposomes synthesis is of advantage, biology or material design is beneficial. No previous knowledge in additive manufacturing is required. Some of the project tasks can be tailored to the interests of the student.
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most widespread nutritional deficiencies worldwide, increasing the risk for disability and death for more than two billion people. Lack of iron causes anemia, impairs cognitive development, decreases work capacity, and when severe, increases the risk of death during pregnancy, infancy and childhood. Iron supplements are needed for prevention of iron deficiency, especially among infants, children and pregnant women, and for correction of IDA in all affected individuals. Conventional iron supplements, given as a bolus dose, commonly cause nausea, epigastric discomfort and other gastrointestinal side effects that lead many individuals to discontinue and avoid their use. Recently, novel manufacturing techniques (e.g., 3D printing) and biomaterial platforms have become available for ad-hoc additive manufacturing, which have high versatility and flexibility, so that more personalised products could be produced targeting physiological characteristics of specific vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and women of reproductive age. In this project, a screening of literature review and potential suitable materials will be conducted. The goal will be to find candidate polymers that ensures loading of bioactive compounds at clinical relevant dosage. In a second step, these polymer will be used to formulate bioinks. Gastric resident systems (GDSs) will be produced using advanced manufacturing approaches (e.g., 3D printing) and the resulting release kinetic of the bioactive compounds will be characterized. Based on the results, different GDSs 3D design, formulation, and combination of active compounds will be tested. In case needed, mechanical and chemical characterization of formulated bioinks will be performed (e.g., rheological, printability, and swelling properties). For this internship/master thesis, we are looking for an enterprising student with background in pharmaceutical science, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, material science or similar field. Previous experience in drug formulation, nanoparticles and liposomes synthesis is of advantage, biology or material design is beneficial. No previous knowledge in additive manufacturing is required. Some of the project tasks can be tailored to the interests of the student.
- Review of suitable polymers for drug encapsulation
- Manufacturing of gastric delivery systems with different compositions and formulation;
- In vitro release of bioactive compounds from fabricated gastric delivery systems.
- Review of suitable polymers for drug encapsulation - Manufacturing of gastric delivery systems with different compositions and formulation; - In vitro release of bioactive compounds from fabricated gastric delivery systems.
Elia Guzzi: elia.guzzi@inkvivo.tech or guzzie@ethz.ch
Leonard Tognola: leonardo.tognola@inkvivo.tech
Elia Guzzi: elia.guzzi@inkvivo.tech or guzzie@ethz.ch