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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer

Published on: April 21, 2022

Engineering the Mucus Barrier.

T L Carlson¹, J Y Lock², R L Carrier^1,2

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA;

Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering

|June 6, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Mucus acts as a selective barrier, controlling molecular and microbial transport. This review explores methods to engineer mucus properties, either weakening or strengthening its barrier function for therapeutic applications.

Keywords:

mucoadhesive particles mucolytic mucosal drug delivery mucus barrier mucus composition mucus penetration

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Three-dimensional Quantification of Intestinal Mucus Using Whole-mount Tissue Imaging

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Published on: September 12, 2025

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Mucosal Immunology
Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

Mucus forms a dynamic barrier regulating transport of molecules, particles, and microbes to epithelial surfaces.
Understanding mucus barrier function is crucial for targeted drug delivery and preventing pathogen interaction.

Purpose of the Study:

To review mechanisms of mucus barrier selectivity.
To outline methods for engineering mucus barrier properties (strengthening or weakening).
To discuss strategies for designing drug carriers for mucus penetration.

Main Methods:

Literature review of mucus structure, composition, and barrier function.
Analysis of stimuli-induced changes in mucus properties.
Examination of drug carrier and formulation design principles for mucus traversal.

Main Results:

Mucus barrier properties can be modulated by altering its structure and composition.
Specific stimuli can be used to engineer mucus for desired barrier effects.
Drug carrier design and formulation are key to overcoming mucus barriers.

Conclusions:

Mucus engineering offers therapeutic potential by modulating barrier function.
Targeted drug delivery across mucus requires tailored carrier and formulation strategies.
Further research into mucus-epithelial interactions can advance mucosal therapeutics.