Controllable Drug Release Using Graphene Based Nanomaterials

Foundations of Bio-Tech Science Management

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Academic Report of Research Process

Controllable Drug Release using Graphene Based Nanomaterials

Submitted to: Prof. Christian Bach

Student Name: Kimiya Zafar

Student ID: 1002502

Email: Kimiya.zafar@my.bridgeport.edu

Section: TCMG 535

Table of Contents

Foundations of Bio-Tech Science Management        

Abstract        

Purpose        

Methodology        

Findings        

Research limitations/implications        

Practical implications        

Originality/value        

Introduction        

Research Method        

Controllable Drug Research using Graphene Based Nanomaterials        

Graphene Based Nanoparticles        

Electrostatic/ Electrochemically Controlled Release        

pH Controlled Release        

Result and Discussion        

Contribution and New Insight        

Conclusion        

References        

Abstract

Purpose

While there are many means of delivering medications, controllable drug release has still yet to be mastered. This paper aims to give a thorough overview of controlling drug delivery using pH or electricity and graphene based nanoparticles.

Methodology

A comprehensive literature review was completed exploring drug delivery, graphene, and ways to control drug delivery.

Findings

A variety of means to control drug release including pH, electrochemically, electrostatically, and ATP based were found and many included the new wonder material Graphene.  

Research limitations/implications

This is limited due to the novelty of graphene, while many studies have been shown, very few have been tested. It is also limited by the ability to test on human subjects.  

Practical implications

Further experiment would show the clinical treatments of cancer, brain tumors, and many other drug delivery systems.

Originality/value

While individual studies have been done, a compilation has not yet been completed and it could guide future research. This research could lead to advances in treatment of a wide variety of ailments.

Introduction

Drug Delivery Systems while used in daily have only one control mastered as of now, time release. First hydrogel’s specifically were looked into.  Hydrogel’s provide have many benefits including low cost, low mechanical strength, and they can be made under mild conditions (Hoffman, 2012; Jianmei Wang et al.). It is commonly used as a drug delivery method because it is capable of being made under mild conditions due to the fact that it is structurally similar to the extracellular matrix (. It is found that hydrogels cause mild to minimal tissue damage making it a great candidate for drug delivery systems (.  While much is known about drug delivery systems, little is known about how to control it.

Graphene is a recent wonder drug that some have found to be a good prospect for the controllable drug delivery system. Graphene has a unique two-dimensional planar structure that is less than 50 nm thick, along with good mechanical, optical, and electrical properties (Goenka, Sant, & Sant, 2014; Jingquan Liu, Cui, & Losic, 2013; Z. Liu, Robinson, Sun, & Dai, 2008; Sun et al., 2008). The mechanical properties make it a good candidate for drug delivery while the optical and electrical properties might make it easily controllable. Graphene is also known for its delocalized pi electrons along with the high  specific surface area (. This give graphene based materials a good loading capacity and therefore graphene hydrogels would be a good delivery vector for a variety of drugs. Due to graphene’s superb conductivity and biocompatibility it has a good likelihood of being able to control drug delivery (Jingquan Liu et al., 2013). Graphene is likely to be able to be controlled with pH, chemical interactions, thermal, photo induction and magnetic induction. This monolayer of tightly packed carbon shows antibacterial properties independently while still being able to be biocompatible(Hu et al., 2010).

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Figure 1: A brief overview of the versatility and variety of applications of graphene based nanomaterials (Goenka et al., 2014).

While drug delivery entails oral or intravenous administration currently. Both of these methods are only controlled by delivery time and dose. If drug delivery was able to be controlled then breakthroughs such as anticancer treatments, peptide and protein delivery, gene therapy, and brain tumor treatment could be mastered due to electrostatic charges and lipophilic characteristics (Caruso, Merlo, & Caffo, 2014; . Drugs, typically anticancer drugs, like doxorubicin, 5-FU, CPT, and ibuprofen were studied (Depan, Shah, & Misra, 2011; Rana et al., 2011; . In trials it was found to be nontoxic as well as able to effectively target specific cells (Naahidi et al., 2013).