A follow-up of RB2220594: Probing the effects of shear and extension on Nanodrug Hydrogel Drug Systems using Rheo-SANS

The proposed experiments are a follow-up for beamtime RB2220594, aiming to evaluate and optimise a novel smart controlled release injectable liposomal hydrogel drug delivery system from low cost precursors, Pluronic F-127 and Chitosan. The matrix’s sol-gel phase transition in the body allows them to be administered as drug loaded solutions before transforming to soft gel depots at body temperature, then releasing the drug over a designed time. The liposomes’ structural similarity to cells allows for enhanced drugs bioavailability and increased blood circulation time. The proposed systems are designed to regulate the release of Secukinumab® for the treatment of plaque Psoriasis, aiming to reduce cost/dosing frequency and enhance patients’ compliance. The requested beamtime will build on the previous successful experiments using three bespoke flow cells, to optimise data collection, expand measurements in both x and y axes and map structural progression in both shear and extension, as experienced during processing and real bodily administration. Paired with previously published work and ongoing rheological/optical measurements the beamtime will allow full understanding of the flow-structure correlation, instability dynamics in soft matter, and create a model for release behaviour from systems with similar morphology.