Simulating and optimizing nanoparticle delivery through the flowing human airway mucus layer

Our airways are lined with mucus, transported by cilia in a process called the mucociliary escalator. This mucus protects against inhaled germs and pollutants but also poses a barrier to inhalable nanoparticles (NPs) used for drug or gene delivery. Understanding how NPs penetrate this layer is crucial. This internship uses Brownian dynamics simulations to study NP diffusion in flowing mucus. We focus on three main factors: the time- and space-varying mucus flow, interactions between NPs and mucin chains (both steric and adhesive), and NP shape. Mucus flow alters both NP movement and the mucin network structure, requiring our model to account for dynamic changes. NPs frequently encounter mucin chains, where repulsion and adhesion influence their motion. Rod-shaped NPs may diffuse more efficiently than spherical ones due to directional movement. This project aims to uncover key mechanisms of NP transport and inform the design of more effective NP carriers for inhalable therapies.

Faculty Supervisor:

James J Feng

Student:

Partner:

OmniscienceTech Enterprises Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: