Chemical coatings on microparticles can affect their “swimming” behavior in mucus solutions, according to a new study.
The findings, published in the journal Langmuir, could have implications for the design of drugs and other particles that need to move through mucus in the body.
Mucus is a sticky substance that lines the surfaces of many organs in the body, including the respiratory and digestive tracts. It plays an important role in protecting these surfaces from infection and other damaging agents.
However, mucus can also impede the movement of particles, such as drugs, that need to pass through it.
In the new study, the researchers investigated how different chemical coatings on microparticles affected their movement through mucus.
They found that particles coated with a polymer called polyethylene glycol (PEG) were able to “swim” through mucus more efficiently than those coated with other compounds.
PEG-coated particles are often used in drug delivery systems because they are less likely to be recognized and removed by the body’s immune system.
The findings suggest that PEG coatings could also be used to improve the delivery of drugs and other particles through mucus.
“Our study provides new insights into how chemical coatings can affect the swimming behavior of particles in mucus,” said study lead author Katja Kann, of the Technical University of Munich.
“This knowledge could be used to design new particles with improved properties for drug delivery and other applications.”
Chemical coatings can have a significant impact on the way microparticles move through mucus, according to new research.
The findings, published in the journal Soft Matter, could have implications for the development of new drugs and Delivery methods.
Mucus is a viscous liquid that coats the surface of many tissues in the body, including the airways, digestive system and reproductive tract. It plays an important role in protecting these tissues from infection and injury.
However, mucus can also trap particles, including viruses, bacteria and allergens. This can lead to problems such as respiratory infections and allergic reactions.
Previous research has shown that the addition of charged particles can alter the way mucus flows. This can either increase or decrease the rate at which particles are transported through the mucus.
The new study, conducted by researchers at Rutgers University, examined the effect of charged particles on the movement of microparticles in mucus.
Microparticles are tiny particles that can be made from a variety of materials, including metals, polymers and ceramics. They are often used in biomedical applications, such as drug delivery and diagnostics.
The researchers found that the movement of microparticles through mucus is affected by the charge on their surface. positively charged microparticles moved more slowly through mucus than negatively charged particles.
The findings could have implications for the development of new drugs and delivery methods. positively charged particles are more likely to be trapped in mucus, which could be beneficial for certain drugs that need to be released slowly.
However, for other drugs that need to be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, negatively charged particles may be more suitable.
The findings could also be used to improve the design of devices, such as inhalers, that are used to deliver drugs to the airways.
Overall, the study provides new insights into the way charged particles interact with mucus and how this can be used to improve drug delivery and other biomedical applications.
