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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Development of an Economical DNA Delivery System by "Acufection" and its Application to Skin Research

Development of an Economical DNA Delivery System by "Acufection" and its Application to Skin Research

Published on: April 19, 2017

Microneedle-mediated transdermal bacteriophage delivery.

Elizabeth Ryan¹, Martin J Garland, Thakur Raghu Raj Singh

¹School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences : Official Journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences

|July 4, 2012

Summary

Microneedle patches offer a novel way to deliver bacteriophages, or phages, for therapeutic use. This study shows phages can be delivered transdermally, bypassing injection drawbacks for potential new treatments.

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Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Microbiology
Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

Bacteriophages (phages) are gaining interest as therapeutic agents.
Parenteral administration is common but has disadvantages like professional administration needs and cross-contamination risks.
Transdermal delivery presents a viable alternative to overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of a novel poly (carbonate) hollow microneedle (MN) device for transdermal bacteriophage delivery.
To assess both in vitro and in vivo delivery of Escherichia coli-specific T4 bacteriophages.
To explore microneedle-mediated phage absorption as a systemic delivery route.

Main Methods:

Utilized a novel poly (carbonate) hollow microneedle (MN) device.
Conducted in vitro studies using dermatomed and full-thickness skin models.
Performed in vivo studies to measure phage concentration in blood post-administration.

Main Results:

Successful in vitro delivery of bacteriophages across both skin types.
Detected phage concentrations of 2.67 × 10^6 PFU/ml (dermatomed) and 4.0 × 10^3 PFU/ml (full-thickness) in vitro.
Achieved in vivo systemic absorption with 4.13 × 10^3 PFU/ml detected in blood 30 minutes post-administration.
Observed rapid phage clearance from circulation within 24 hours.

Conclusions:

Microneedle-mediated transdermal delivery enables successful systemic absorption of bacteriophages.
This method offers a promising alternative route for bacteriophage-based therapeutics.
Further investigation could broaden the application of these therapeutic viruses.