Synthesis of monodisperse biodegradable microgels in microfluidic devices

Langmuir. 2005 Nov 8;21(23):10275-9. doi: 10.1021/la051527y.

Abstract

Microgels are promising materials in drug delivery and biomedicine. Although monodisperse microgels would offer considerable advantages, most microgels investigated and used today are polydisperse in size. We report on the fabrication of 10 mum sized monodisperse microgels by emulsifying an aqueous dextran-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (dex-HEMA) phase within an oil phase at the junction of microfluidic channels. Dex-HEMA microgels are biodegradable and are ideally suited for the controlled delivery of proteins.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials*
  • Gels*
  • Methacrylates / chemistry
  • Microfluidics / instrumentation*
  • Microscopy
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Gels
  • Methacrylates
  • hydroxyethyl methacrylate