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Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 12, 2012
Partially Oxidized Alginate as a Biodegradable Carrier for Glucose-Responsive Insulin Delivery and Islet Cell
Lisa R Volpatti1,2, Matthew A Bochenek2,3, Amanda L Facklam2,4
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
Abstract:
Self-regulated insulin delivery that mimics native pancreas function has been a long-term goal for diabetes therapies. Two approaches towards this goal are glucose-responsive insulin delivery and islet cell transplantation therapy. Here, biodegradable, partially oxidized alginate carriers for glucose-responsive nanoparticles or islet cells are developed. Material composition and formulation are tuned in each of these contexts to enable glycemic control in diabetic mice. For injectable, glucose-responsive insulin delivery, 0.5 mm 2.5% oxidized alginate microgels facilitate repeat dosing and consistently provide 10 days of glycemic control. For islet cell transplantation, 1.5 mm capsules comprised of a blend of unoxidized and 2.5% oxidized alginate maintain cell viability and glycemic control over a period of more than 2 months while reducing the volume of nondegradable material implanted. These data show the potential of these biodegradable carriers for controlled drug and cell delivery for the treatment of diabetes with limited material accumulation in the event of multiple doses.
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