Thrust Areas

Thrust Area 1: Nanopharmaceutical Synthesis
Main Goal: To develop new nanoparticle synthesis methods effective at both lab and manufacturing scale.
Scope: Research in thrust area I will focus on the development and implementation of new technologies needed to synthesize nano-sized, nano-coated, and nano-structured organic materials that enhance drug bioavailability. Experiments, theory, and simulations will be used to understand molecular phenomena that control particle growth and assembly. Particle synthesis technologies (supercritical precipitation, flash evaporation, phase inversion, milling, controlled crystallization, self-assembly from solution) will be combined with the use of growth quenchers and stabilizers to develop stable nanosuspensions with desired composition, size, and bioavailability.
Impact of interdisciplinary training on research: Combination of synthetic organic chemistry, pharmaceutics, and process engineering is essential to develop effective methods for synthesizing nanoparticles with optimal drug delivery properties.

Thrust Area 2: Nanopharmaceutical Functionalization
Main Goal: Control and optimization of nanoparticle physicochemical and biological properties (size, shape, stability, affinity to materials and tissues) through systematic functionalization.
Scope: Research will focus on developing methods for determining and systematically controlling fundamental properties that determine processing and functionality of nano materials (size and size distribution, constitutive behavior, purity, homogeneity, degree of agglomeration, compressibility, solubility, etc.). Experimental methods capable of resolving nano-scale features (SEM, TEM, AFM, EEL, EDAX, Static MIE light scattering, and Ultrasound spectroscopy will be integrated with theoretical methods (Discrete and Finite Elements, Molecular Dynamics, Computational Chemistry) that can capture the structure and properties of nanoscale molecular assemblies. These techniques will be used to develop methods for controlling interparticle forces and their impact on averaged properties, and to design multi-functional molecular moieties (nanofilms, molecular spacers) capable of functionalizing nanomaterials to improve both processability and drug delivery performance.
Impact of interdisciplinary training on research: Intimate integration of computational chemistry, pharmaceutics, materials science, and process engineering is critically needed to systematically optimize nanomaterial properties for optimal incorporation into products and enhanced physiological functionality.

Thrust Area 3: Nanopharmaceutical Product and Process Design
Main Goal: To develop experimental and multiscale simulation methods for determining the structure-function-performance relationships of nanopharmaceutical products
Scope: Experiments and predictive computations will be used to develop a predictive understanding of structure-function-performance relationships (mechanical resistance, in vivo and in vitro drug release, physical and chemical stability, biological fate) for drug delivery systems, and explore novel product design techniques to create nanostructured composites with desired functional properties (e.g., enhanced dissolution and bioavailability, enhanced content uniformity, targeted delivery). We will develop processing strategies (adsorption, hierarchical synthesis, nanocoating) to incorporate nanoparticles into product forms (such as oral delivery systems and inhalers) while preserving nanoparticle properties.
Impact of interdisciplinary training on research: Integration of methods and concepts from Process engineering, materials science, and pharmaceutics is required in order to develop product design methodologies that optimize both product quality and physiological performance.