Microfluidic approaches for producing lipid-based nanoparticles for drug delivery applications

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Nanomedicine
• Materials Science and Engineering

Background:

• Lipid-based nanomedicines, including liposomes and extracellular vesicles, are crucial for advanced drug delivery.
• Current manufacturing methods face challenges in reproducibility and scalability, hindering clinical translation.
• Microfluidic technologies present a promising solution for precise and efficient nanoparticle production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review scientific advancements in microfluidics-mediated production of lipid-based nanoparticles for therapeutic applications.
• To discuss microfluidic strategies for manufacturing liposomes and extracellular vesicles.
• To outline future directions for microfluidic applications in clinical nanomedicine.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of liposomes using hydrodynamic focusing and micromixers (herringbone, staggered baffle).
• Microfluidic approaches for extracellular vesicles and extracellular vesicle-mimetics production, including extrusion, sonication, and electroporation.
• Surface engineering, nanoporation, and mixing techniques within microfluidic systems.

Main Results:

• Microfluidics enables precise control over nanoparticle characteristics, enhancing reproducibility and stability.
• Simplified workflows and higher sensitivity/specificity are achieved compared to bulk methods.
• Demonstrated feasibility of producing both liposomes and extracellular vesicles using various microfluidic strategies.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidics is a transformative technology for the scalable and reproducible manufacturing of lipid-based nanoparticles.
• This approach addresses key limitations in current nanomedicine production, paving the way for clinical translation.
• Further research into microfluidic systems holds significant potential for advancing therapeutic drug delivery.