Projects / Programmes
Vnos zdravilnih učinkovin v kožo in preko kože z elektroporacijo, ionoforezo in radiofrekvenčnim segrevanjem (Slovene)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.06.07 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Systems and cybernetics |
Biomedical technics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.06 |
Engineering and Technology |
Medical engineering
|
Researchers (16)
Organisations (3)
Significance for science
Recent advances in pharmacy and biotechnology have yielded a number of drugs exerting good therapeutic effect and getting approvals by regulatory agencies to be used for medical use. However, one of the biggest challenges in the area of biomedical engineering is finding the right ways of delivering molecules to targeted sites inside the human body. Apart from invasive hypodermic needle (intramuscular or intravenous delivery route), most common non-invasive delivery routes include peroral, transmucosal, inhalation and transdermal routes. Skin serves as a protective barrier, also playing an important role in sensory perception, immunologic surveillance, thermoregulation, and control of insensible fluid loss. Due to its size and accessibility, skin is an attractive target tissue for a variety of applications. Current trends show increased interest in the field of intra- and transdermal drug delivery. Namely, this delivery route represents noninvasive alternatives to most widely used invasive hypodermic needle and a way to avoid first pass metabolism that can present a problem in oral dosage forms.
The delivery of drugs through skin is a desirable alternative to other delivery routes, however, its biggest obstacle is the main function of the skin: to prevent unwanted substances from entering the body. The problem of successful transdermal drug delivery was approached from different angles, comprising theoretical aspects, hardware solutions and in vitro testing. In this way, we substantially added to further advancement and understanding in the field of transdermal drug delivery, with the aim of establishing this delivery route as a successful, noninvasive alternative.
The work programmed comprise all crucial aspects of development of medical devices for transdermal drug delivery based on the state-of-the-art science: The theoretical support in the form of mathematical models, hardware solutions according to identified needs and constraints, and testing of both in a modern experimental environment. With this approach, we established a knowledge-based, complete technological platform for the development of new, state-of-the-art medical devices, corresponding electrodes and applicators for electrically-mediated transdermal drug delivery.
Significance for the country
Our studies, pertaining to the area of health and life sciences were and still are consistent with the guidelines of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology.
One of the results of the project is a clinical device with the appending applicators and protocols for intra- and transdermal drug delivery which will be manufactured and marketed by the SME involved in the research, Iskra Medical, the co-financer of the project. The efforts of the company’s management for increasing the added value of their products were completed by the development of devices and protocols supported by scientific theoretical and experimental results.
Apart from the financial return for the collaborating SME, scientific achievements did put Slovenian science in the leading front of the research in the field of electrically-mediated transdermal drug delivery. The continuation of active participation of Slovenian researchers in this research area represents an important recognition of Slovenian science that will put us side by side with leading scientists in the field of transdermal drug delivery. Further, the accumulation of knowledge and technological solutions gives an opportunity for Slovenian SMEs to be involved in the design and manufacture of this new technology.
In addition, by establishing an experimental environment for in vitro testing and by developing new, state-of-the-art medical devices, corresponding electrodes and applicators for electrically-mediated transdermal drug delivery, we provided a long-term support for research work in this field, extending beyond the time-frame of this project.
As the research was performed at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of Ljubljana, the results and findings are readily incorporated in educational process. Newly established experimental laboratory is available to the students at the University of Ljubljana and it represents a welcome addition to the educational process (Skin Electroporation as new lab work at the study of Biomedical engineering at University of Ljubljana). Also, graduate and postgraduate students will get an opportunity to take part in the research in the framework of their theses. New knowledge about enhanced transdermal drug delivery, gained during this project also contributed to the quality of international postgraduate school program, named Electroporation in biology, biotechnology and medicine. Added value to the program has also represented Skin electroporation as a new lab work for participants.
Also, we would like to emphasize that the development and future manufacture of medical devices for transdermal drug delivery by electroporation was taken place in Iskra Medical’s remote unit in Gorenjska, which is one of the economically less developed regions of Slovenia.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
