Effective nanomaterials for active drug delivery

Adwibi, Ismail A (2025). Effective nanomaterials for active drug delivery. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

In the field of nanomedicine, materials in the nanoscale range play a crucial role as diagnostic instruments and targeted carriers of therapeutic compounds. This relatively new but rapidly advancing discipline offers promising applications. For example, by utilising engineered nanoparticles, cellular processes can be specifically targeted for immediate healing or early detection of illnesses. Nanomedicine has shown great potential in treating various medical conditions, by using chemotherapeutic drugs and immunotherapeutic agents. This research focuses on the synthesis of monodisperse batches of gold nanoparticles with various coating agents, with the objective of controlling their size within the range 8 and 60 nm in diameter, with the purpose to test and identify an optimal size for drug delivery. Subsequently, modified citrate gold nanoparticles were conjugated with two different types of medicines called amantadine and remdesivir, expanding the possibilities for their use in nanomedicine.
This doctoral project involves the encapsulation of amantadine into polymeric nanoparticles made of poly lactide-co-glycolic acid, leveraging their unique bioavailability and low toxicity properties. The polymeric nanoparticles are engineered to minimise toxicity and immunogenicity, ensuring compatibility with biological systems. Furthermore, these engineered nanoparticles exhibit target specific properties through functionalisation with ligands that recognise specific receptors or markers present on the surface of diseased cells or tissues. Consequently, they enable targeted delivery of amantadine and remdesivir drugs to the desired location within the J774 cell line macrophages. Additionally, the formation of biodegradable polymers enables the controlled release of the encapsulated amantadine drug. Thus, herein, the conjugation of the two drugs to gold nanoparticles and the encapsulation of amantadine drug in polymeric nanoparticles aimed to achieve several outcomes, including improving drug delivery, enabling controlled drug release, enhancing drug solubility and bioavailability, and ensuring the protection and stability of drugs. All of these goals contribute to the development of more efficient, precise, and safe drug delivery systems in the field of nanomedicine.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):