The Electrospun Cellular Microenvironments (ECM) Laboratory is interested in investigating structure-property-processing relationships in polymeric biomaterials for controlled release applications. We study and control the process of electrospinning to rationally design functionalized polymeric matrices that serve as amorphous drug carriers, promote sustained drug release, and help deliver multiple drug/cytokines in combination therapy.

Research Areas

1. Physics of polymer electrospinning: We investigate polymer electrospinning via direct in situ visualization of the cone/jet to gain insights into parameters that influence jet initiation/stretching. Here, we are interested in understanding the complex interplay between several competing forces that dictate cone/jet dynamics and eventually control fiber formation. These insights are used to develop fibrous meshes with predictable properties.

2. Design of drug carriers and formulations: We adopt a fundamental approach to understanding the roles of matrix properties that govern the release of poorly soluble drugs. We build upon this knowledge to design carriers that exhibit controlled and sustained release of immunomodulatory drugs, particularly zero-order kinetics. A growing interest in our group is to uncover rules governing the physico-chemical stability of amorphous drug formulations prepared using polymeric carriers.

3. Combination therapy for immunomodulation: We engineer new technologies to process polymers and create biomaterial composites that can simultaneously deliver multiple drugs and/or cytokines while retaining independent control over release of the individual therapeutics and preserving biological functionality. In collaboration with biologists, we deploy such materials to target dysfunctional immune responses associated with degenerative diseases.