Nanoporous polymeric microparticles with sponge-like morphology are assembled via atomization of diluted aqueous solutions containing (1) a so-called 'sacrificial component' and (2) interacting species such as oppositely charged polyelectrolytes or H-bond donor/acceptor polymers. Subsequent evaporation of the water phase forces these polymers to assemble into spherical particles. From the conceptual point of view this is approach is an analogue of spray-assisted Layer-by-Layer assembly, but on particulate rather than planar substrates. Interestingly, upon reconstitution in aqueous medium, the 'sacrificial component' (i.e. a low molecular weight sugar or EDTA-sensitive inorganic nanoparticles) is removed and stable nanoporous microparticles are formed. In vitro and in vivo data evaluating these carriers as microreactor and vaccine carriers demonstrate that encapsulated enzymes and antigens exhibit exceptional preservation of their biological activity during the encapsulation process.

Nanoporous spray-assisted self-assembled microsponges for intracellular protein and vaccine delivery

245th National Meeting (2013)

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