Researchers at the University of California have developed novel polymeric micro- and nanoparticles with non-spherical shapes and methods of making such particles. The particles have an average diameter of about 10 nm to about 100 µm and can have a wide variety of non-spherical shapes. The researchers’ method can be used to generate these particles in substantial reproducible quantities. Research results demonstrate that particle shape profoundly affects phagocytosis and thereby clearance of the particles by the immune system.

File Number: 20997 

Web site: http://techtransfer.universityofcalifornia.edu/...

Other Information:

Background
Polymeric micro and nanoparticles have numerous applications in diverse fields such as drug delivery, advanced materials, personal care and medical imaging. One of the major obstacles in using micro- and nanoparticles for in vivo applications is phagocytosis, which limits their half-life and impedes tissue-specific targeting. While significant attention has been paid to engineering particle properties such as size and surface chemistry to alter phagocytosis, there are relatively few studies on engineering particle shape to accomplish the same purpose, largely due to difficulties in synthesizing precisely shaped polymeric particles. It would be advantageous to produce polymeric micro- or nanoparticles that are non-spherical in shape.