Masters Applied Projects

Project 11

Mathematical Modeling of Polymer Microparticles

Student: Karolena Lein

Mentors: Dr. Brent Vernon – SBHSE
Dr. Jianming Liang – CHS
Dr. Bradley Greger – SBHSE

YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/5996741742

Time: 10am – 2pm

Abstract

Polymer microspheres can be utilized as drug delivery systems that give various advantages to pharmaco-therapies. These advantages include the ability to control drug release rates, patterns (i.e. erosion, swelling, etc.), offer easy administration routes, and provide a protective casing to the drug. These polymer systems have been utilized in controlled release vaccinations, site specific cancer treatments, and in topical agents. While microspheres have many advantages and applications there are drawbacks surrounding cost, reproducibility, encapsulation efficiency, and difficulty in receiving FDA approval. With these limitations it is advantageous to have a preliminary model before developing a microsphere in lab. Mathematical models can predict the drug release profile for a polymer microparticle delivery system and the effect of modifying different parameters. This allows the delivery device to be optimized before being experimentally tested through varying the mechanism, drug loading, and geometry of the design. This can minimize necessary trials and speed up development. The model created within this project utilizes Fick’s second law of diffusion and a modified Weibull probability distribution function to represent a bimodal drug release from a microsphere. A full factorial design of experiments was done to analyze main effects and interaction responses between mean, standard deviation, and a bimodal population factor (f1). Development of this mathematical model will assist in future laboratory work in producing predictive outcomes based on expected mean and standard deviation.