Microfluidic synthesis of multifunctional liposomes for targeted drug delivery

Rui Ran, Anton P.J. Middelberg, Chun-Xia Zhao*

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia

Multifunctional liposome is a promising nano-system for various applications, such as cancer drug delivery, vaccine delivery, etc. However, more functionality requires more complex synthesis processes, resulting in poor reproducibility, low yield, and high production cost, hence difficulties in clinical translation. Therefore, it is imperative to develop simple approaches for making multifunctional liposomes. A hydrodynamic flow-focusing (HFF) microfluidic method has been developed to make a library of multifunctional liposomes with systematically varied properties, including PEGylated liposome; single-ligand liposomes, and dual-ligand liposomes. Their size can be precisely controlled by tuning the microfluidic operation conditions (device design, flow rate ratio, etc). Single-ligand (folic acid) and dual-ligand (folic acid and cell penetrating peptide TAT) liposomes were synthesized and compared. The FA-targeted liposomes demonstrated enhanced cellular uptake by the receptor positive cells, but limited tumour penetration capability. While combining the targeting ligand FA and the TAT peptide showed a synergistic targeting and tumour penetration effect. The microfluidic HFF approach represents a relative new but very effective way in synthesizing multifunctional liposomes with controllable, surface properties and superior biological functions, and it will serve as a promising platform for producing multifunctional liposomes for practical applications.

Biographic Details

Name: Rui Ran

Title: Mr.

Affiliation, Country: AIBN, Australia

Phone: +61 468962090, E-mail: rui.ran@uq.bet.au

Research interests: Liposome, tumor targeting, microfluidic