Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Predicting In Vivo Payloads Delivery using a Blood-brain Tumor-barrier in a Dish
Published on: April 16, 2019
Effects of surface modification on delivery efficiency of biodegradable nanoparticles across the blood-brain barrier
Sneha Avinash Kulkarni1, Si-Shen Feng
1Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Aim:
The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of surface modification of biodegradable nanoparticles on their cellular uptake, cytotoxicity and biodistribution for the delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier.
Materials & Methods:
Coumarin-6- and docetaxel-encapsulated poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles were prepared by a modified single emulsion method using polyvinyl alcohol or D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (vitamin E TPGS or TPGS) as emulsifier. The nanoparticles' surface was further modified with surfactants such as polysorbate-80 (Tween® 80), poloxamer 188 (F68) and poloxamer 407 (F127) to enhance cellular uptake of the NPs.
Results:
The F68-coated poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles demonstrated the greatest cellular uptake and achieved highest fluorescence concentration in the brain tissues over those with T80 and F127 surface modification.
Conclusion:
Surface modification is a feasible and efficient strategy for nanoparticles made of biodegradable polymers to deliver diagnostic and therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Solubility Enhancement
The Blood-brain Barrier
Bioavailability Enhancement: Determination and Conceptual Approaches in Overcoming Bioavailability Problems
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Bioavailability

