| TECHNOLOGY |
Bioadhesive polymers to help improve the absorption of drugs are the focus of work by author. "You can find applications for bioadhesive polymers in almost any region that you have epithelial cells," she says, including oral, buccal (cheek), GI tract, rectal, or vaginal delivery. "The adhesive molecules bring the delivery system closer to the mucosa. If the particle is larger than 10 mm in diameter, it will stay for a prolonged time and deliver the drug. If the particle is small, the chances of being taken up are much higher. In the last case, the entire delivery system with the drug is delivered to the systemic circulation." To accomplish this improved delivery, author designs polymers with a high amount of carboxylic acid, which hydrogen bonds with the carboxylic acids in epithelial cells. "You want light bonding," she says. "You don't want covalent bonding.
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