Modifying Nanocarriers to Modulate Release From Hydrogel
Mentors
Project Description
A major shortcoming of current vaccines is the lack of potency that results in waning protection and the need for additional boosters. One strategy to increase the potency of vaccines is using a hydrogel depot to prolong the release of vaccine components and encourage immune cell recruitment. While nanoparticles can be employed within the hydrogel to alter the release rate of the encapsulated vaccine components, the diffusion of the nanoparticles themselves can be a determining factor in the resulting immune response. Therefore, the design of novel nanoparticle-hydrogel constructs with different diffusion kinetics is of interest in the field. Through this project, the student will manipulate the structure of nanoparticles and study both the resulting release profile from a hydrogel and the subsequent immunological effect.
Research Goals
Weeks 1: Familiarization with relevant literature and training in basic lab techniques (e.g. cell culture)Learning Goals
Timeline
Weeks 2-3: Modification/functionalization of nanoparticles and characterization of the novel structure
Weeks 4: Fabrication of hydrogel depot and characterization of mechanical properties
Week 5-7: Characterization of the release of the nanoparticles from the hydrogel depot
Weeks 8-10: Study the interactions between immune cells and the nanoparticle-hydrogel construct (e.g. Immune cell recruitment, viability, and uptake of encapsulated cargo within the hydrogel)