BACKGROUND:  Emulsions comprised of microscale droplets of a liquid in another immiscible liquid are common in many products, such as food, cosmetic, or personal care products. Emulsions are comprised of hydrophobic (such as oil) and hydrophilic liquids (such as water) where one liquid is dispersed as droplets in the other liquid. Previous work by the inventors has led to the development of a method to easily make stable nanoemulsions, where droplet sizes as low as 10nm in radius can be made in an efficient and controlled manner. Because of the nature of having hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, emulsions and nanoemulsions can act as drug deliver vehicles. For example, in an oil-in-water emulsion (oil droplets dispersed in water), a hydrophobic drug can be solubilized in the oil and delivered in the droplets. Such emulsions, however, require additional components to improve stability and provide a means to pass through cell membranes.

INNOVATION:  The invention discloses a method to encapsulate emulsions and nanoemulsions in capsid proteins. By manipulating the components and surface chemistries, the researchers can cause the capsid proteins to become attracted to the droplet surfaces and assemble a coating on the droplets. Furthermore, due to the innovative method of controlling the size distribution of the droplets, the time-release of the enclosed drug can be controlled, as larger droplets will penetrate more slowly than smaller droplets.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• Stable drug delivery vehicles of customizable sizes and biocompatibility
• Delivery of radioactive tracers for medical imaging.

ADVANTAGES

• Customizable sizes of the droplets for controlled drug dosing
• Droplet stability by capsid protein encapsulation
• Active mechanism for transport across cell membranes by protein-triggered cellular uptake
• Controlled time-release of the enclosed drug
• Delivery of a drug by ingestion, injection, inhalation, or through the skin.

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  Protein-coated nanoemulsions have been confirmed by TEM.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2007-245