Development of polymeric implant for nanoparticle mediated drug delivery in pancreatic cancer

Details

Pancreatic cancer is one of the cancers having the lowest 5-year survival rate, because of its late diagnosis and availability of only a couple of known drugs with very moderate increase in patient’s survival. Based on our earlier work, we have shown that, nanoparticle mediated delivery of existing drugs can enhance the cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Accordingly, we have developed subcutaneous and orthotopic in-vivo experiments in mouse, in collaboration with Advanced Cancer Teaching Research and Education Centre (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai.

The aim of this project will be to further increase the efficacy of this process, by making 3D printed, polymer-based implants in order to mimic the interaction of nanoparticles with cancer cells in a controlled microfluidic environment. The resulting insight will elucidate the optimization of the nanoparticle-based drug delivery system. We have already developed and further improving a film- and a gel-based implants. 

Some background or experimental exposure in any of the following is better: polymeric materials or nanomaterials or microfluidics or drug delivery. Chemical Engineering principles like transport phenomena, reaction engineering and life-sciences oriented skills in cell cultures, drug loading, release, cell dynamics will be useful.

The project is funded by WRCB, IIT Bombay and it will be a work leading to learning and expertise in interdisciplinary research areas in chemical engineering, material science and biotechnology. The work will be in a group of students involving others already working in related parts of this project.

The work will be mostly experimental, with some scope of modeling based on student's interest.

Name of Faculty