Research Projects

This proposal introduces a novel, multifunctional theranostic platform based on ellipsoidal porous Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microparticles designed for targeted drug delivery, cancer cell capture, and inflammation-responsive healing in vascular microenvironments. The platform integrates advanced microfluidics, nanotechnology, and biointerface engineering to address critical challenges in precision medicine, including poor site specificity, systemic toxicity, and lack of real-time therapeutic monitoring. The proposed microparticles are engineered with an ellipsoidal geometry that enhances margination—drifting toward vessel walls under flow—mimicking leukocyte behavior and improving interaction with vascular and inflamed tissues. Embedded within the PDMS matrix are iron oxide nanoparticles or iron-doped DNA dots for magnetic actuation and navigation, and carbon dots (CDs) for fluorescence imaging, reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulation, and photodynamic therapy. These features enable external control, site-specific retention, and real-time tracking of therapeutic action. Surface functionalization with lectins allows selective binding to cancer cells via glycan recognition, facilitating on-chip diagnostics, drug sensitivity testing, and personalized treatment evaluation. The fabrication process, developed in the PI’s lab and protected under a provisional patent (India Provisional Patent Application No.: 202531057071), employs a scalable shear-based microfluidic technique using xanthan gum–Pluronic emulsions to produce shape-controlled, porous microparticles with tunable size and stiffness. Three core objectives guide the project: (1) design and functionalization of the microparticles with CDs and magnetic nanoparticles; (2) evaluation of healing and diagnostic capabilities in a wound-on-chip model simulating inflammation; and (3) cancer cell capture and drug testing in a microfluidic channel under flow. The platform’s modularity supports integration of diverse therapeutic cargos and targeting ligands, enabling broad applicability across oncology, regenerative medicine, and vascular disease management. The project leverages the interdisciplinary expertise of investigators from IIT Patna and AIIMS Patna, combining strengths in microfluidics, carbon dot chemistry, and clinical oncology. It promises significant translational impact through collaborations with medical institutions, technology transfer via IIT Patna’s incubation center, and potential commercialization through industrial partnerships. The environmentally conscious fabrication process uses non-toxic, water-based materials and aligns with green chemistry principles. By unifying structural guidance, magnetic control, biochemical targeting, and real-time imaging into a single biocompatible microparticle system, this project represents a transformative step toward next-generation smart therapeutics capable of diagnose-act-heal cycles. It addresses key gaps in current drug delivery and diagnostic systems and offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for personalized, minimally invasive therapy.