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Advanced formulation and manufacturing of personalized sport supplements for increased absorption and bioavailability
Conventional pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products (e.g., sport supplements) provide limited control over the release of bioactive ingredients (AIs) and poor absorption and bioavailability. To grant a proper therapeutic effect and athletic performance, common products need frequent intake at high dosages. This scenario is associated with an increased risk of short and long-term complications that can affect the performance of athletes as well as compromise the health long-term. Recently, novel techniques (e.g., 3D printing) and biomaterial formulation have become available for personalized sport supplements. The high versatility, flexibility, and increase absorption resulting from such products, open the way for increasing performance in sport but also for health benefits to generic people by target physiological characteristics and needs of specific groups.
In this semester project, we aim to design advanced drug delivery systems that have tailored release profiles of bioactive ingredients. Initially, a screening of literature review and potential suitable natural polymers will be conducted. The goal will be to find candidate polymers and/or carriers (e.g., such as polymeric nanoparticles or liposomes) that ensures loading of bioactive compounds at clinically relevant dosage. In a second step, these polymers/carriers will be used to formulate nutraceutical products. In case needed, mechanical and chemical characterization of formulation will be performed (e.g., rheological and printability properties). Prolonged-release delivery system will be produced by means of advanced manufacturing approaches (e.g., 3D printing) and the resulting release kinetic of the bioactive compounds will be characterized. Based on the results, different design, formulation, and combination of active compounds will be tested.
For this semester project, we are looking for an enterprising student with background in pharmaceutical science, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, material science, food science or similar field. Previous experience in drug/supplement formulation, nanoparticles and liposomes synthesis is of advantage, polymer design is beneficial. No previous knowledge in additive manufacturing is required. Some of the project tasks can be tailored to the interests of the student.
In this semester project, we aim to design advanced drug delivery systems that have tailored release profiles of bioactive ingredients. Initially, a screening of literature review and potential suitable natural polymers will be conducted. The goal will be to find candidate polymers and/or carriers (e.g., such as polymeric nanoparticles or liposomes) that ensures loading of bioactive compounds at clinically relevant dosage. In a second step, these polymers/carriers will be used to formulate nutraceutical products. In case needed, mechanical and chemical characterization of formulation will be performed (e.g., rheological and printability properties). Prolonged-release delivery system will be produced by means of advanced manufacturing approaches (e.g., 3D printing) and the resulting release kinetic of the bioactive compounds will be characterized. Based on the results, different design, formulation, and combination of active compounds will be tested. For this semester project, we are looking for an enterprising student with background in pharmaceutical science, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, material science, food science or similar field. Previous experience in drug/supplement formulation, nanoparticles and liposomes synthesis is of advantage, polymer design is beneficial. No previous knowledge in additive manufacturing is required. Some of the project tasks can be tailored to the interests of the student.
• Review of suitable polymers for drug and/or supplement encapsulation
• Material formulation and characterization (e.g., mechanical/chemical)
• Manufacturing of prolonged release delivery systems with different compositions and formulation
• Characterization of the dissolution and release properties of the supplement.
• Review of suitable polymers for drug and/or supplement encapsulation • Material formulation and characterization (e.g., mechanical/chemical) • Manufacturing of prolonged release delivery systems with different compositions and formulation • Characterization of the dissolution and release properties of the supplement.
Elia Guzzi: guzzie@ethz.ch or elia.guzzi@inkvivo.tech
Leonardo Tognola: leonardo.tognola@inkvivo.tech
Elia Guzzi: guzzie@ethz.ch or elia.guzzi@inkvivo.tech Leonardo Tognola: leonardo.tognola@inkvivo.tech