PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of novel nanoparticle manufacturing method

There are many ways to manufacture nanoparticles and each method brings specific pros and cons in terms of its application to the generation of new nanoparticles. Notably, microfluidic techniques provide for much higher degrees of control for nanoparticle fabrication than previously possible by conventional methods. Recently, researchers at Assiut University (Egypt) and American University of Sharjah (UAE) used PLGA (AP154) from PolySciTech (www.polyscitech.com) used in development of nanoparticles generated by a novel microfluidic-based method. This research holds promise for the improved development of nanoparticles in the future. Read more: Abualsayed, Alsaeed, Sara Abouelmagd, and Mohamed Abdelgawad. "Miniaturized Preparation of polymeric nanoparticles using droplet manipulation on open surfaces." Micro & Nano Letters (2019). https://digital-library.theiet.org/content/journals/10.1049/mnl.2019.0421?crawler=true

“A digital microfluidics platform for the preparation of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) was developed. Droplets of PLGA in dimethylformamide were merged with droplets of deionised water by electrical actuation on a digital microfluidics device to form PLGA NPs through nanoprecipitation. The developed platform is automated and allows for the preparation of polymeric NPs with small size and high uniformity. Using the platform, the authors were able to prepare monodisperse PLGA NPs as small as 115 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.14 which can be challenging with conventional preparation techniques on the macroscale. Size of the prepared NPs can be tuned through proper choice of the volume ratio between the two merged droplets which controls the induced internal convection flow after merging. Concentration of PLGA in the dimethylformamide droplet also had an effect on the size and polydispersity of the formed NPs. These results prove the potential use of digital microfluidics for testing combinatorial synthesis of different polymeric NPs for various applications. This approach allows robust and automated screening of NP preparations using only few microlitres of the reagents used, thus conserving precious and costly NP components and loaded therapeutic agents.”