The passive transdermal delivery of macromolecules using proline based ionic liquids

The goal of this project is to develop patches/creams which are able to deliver a variety of nucleic acid and gene therapy payloads through the skin, in an effort to develop gene therapy for skin pathologies. To date, the drugs delivered topically are limited to small molecules in small doses, limiting the types of drugs that can be delivered through patches and creams. Patches which are capable of delivering larger molecules often require additional cumbersome applicators or electric devices, which are less feasible in practical application for patients. We wish to develop a plug-and-play gene therapy platform based on proline-ILs, to allow for the delivery of these larger molecules in therapeutic dosages, without needing to re-invent the wheel every time the drug payload is changed. These systems could feasibly replace the need for subcutaneous injections and constant oral administrations of certain medications, and eventually enable the transdermal delivery of gene therapies such as RNA to cure rare skin diseases.

Faculty Supervisor:

Shawn Wettig

Student:

Partner:

Avro Life Science

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: