Ionic Liquids are organic salts that exist as a liquid. Unlike classical inorganic salts, they offer a concurrent and independent control over the ionic as well as hydrophobic interactions in their microenvironment. By doing so, they offer unique abilities to solubilize drugs as well as overcome biological barriers to their delivery. Starting with biocompatible ions, we synthesized a large library of ionic liquids and explored them for various drug delivery applications. Ionic liquids helped overcome the biological transport barriers of skin, buccal mucosa, subcutaneous tissue and the intestinal epithelium, among others. At the same time, they also stabilized proteins and nucleic acids, and enabled the delivery of biologics across these barriers. I will present an overview of the design features of biocompatible ionic liquids and novel therapeutic applications enabled by these unique materials.
Samir Mitragotri,
Harvard University
Samir Mitragotri is the Hiller Professor of Bioengineering and Wyss Professor of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. His research is focused on drug delivery and it has led to new technologies for delivering small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids and cells. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Medicine and National Academy of Inventors. He is an author on over 400 publications and an inventor on over 300 patents/patent applications. He is also an elected fellow of AAAS, CRS, BMES, AIMBE, and AAPS. He received a BS in chemical engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology, India and PhD in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.