Publications by authors named "D F Brougham"
Magnetic chromatography was exploited to fractionate suspensions of magnetoliposomes (SML: lumen-free lipid-encapsulated clusters of multiple magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles) improving their colloidal properties and relaxivity (magnetic resonance image contrast capability). Fractionation (i) removed sub-populations that do not contribute to the MRI response, and thus (ii) enabled evaluation of the size-dependence of relaxivity for the MRI-active part, which was surprisingly weak in the 55-90 nm range. MC was therefore implemented for processing multiple PEGylated SML types having average sizes ranging from 85 to 105 nm, which were then shown to have strongly size-dependent uptake in an pancreatic cancer model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe influence of surfactant, cross-linker, and initiator on the final structure and thermoresponse of poly(-isopropylmethacrylamide) (pNIPMAM) microgels was evaluated. The goals were to control particle size (into the nanorange) and transition temperature (across the physiologically accessible range). The concentration of the reactants used in the synthesis was varied, except for the monomer, which was kept constant.
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- Recent advances in converting somatic cells into induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) have led to the development of kidney organoids for studying kidney development and disease.
- Significant progress has been made by applying renal developmental signaling pathways and using hydrogel scaffolds like self-assembling peptide hydrogels (SAPHs) and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) for growing these organoids.
- This work outlines methods to generate human iPSC-derived kidney organoids, their maturation in hydrogels, and protocols for characterizing these organoids through immunofluorescence imaging.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, with intra-articular (IA) delivery of therapeutics being the current best option to treat pain and inflammation. However, IA delivery is challenging due to the rapid clearance of therapeutics from the joint and the need for repeated injections. Thus, there is a need for long-acting delivery systems that increase the drug retention time in joints with the capacity to penetrate OA cartilage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStructure-dynamics correlations in composite PF127-PEG-based hydrogels; cohesive/hydrophobic interactions determine phase and rheology and identify the role of micelle concentration in controlling 3D extrusion printability.
J Colloid Interface Sci
April 2024
Article Synopsis
- Researchers created a library of composite polymer networks (CPNs) by mixing Pluronic F127 with various di-acrylate functionalized PEG polymers, focusing on how these combinations affect properties like viscosity and UV crosslinking.
- A phase diagram was developed to understand how the varying PEG compositions affect micelle behavior and contribute to the material's liquefaction.
- The study also explored how different compositions influenced 3D printing, revealing that micelle content significantly impacted printing quality, and UV crosslinking enhanced the structural integrity of the hydrogels.