D ESIGN E NGINEERING : C ELL E NCAPSULATION Presented by: Audrey Gonzalez and Carlos Montalvo (CCISD) Faculty mentor: Dr. Zhengdong Cheng of the Artie McFerrin Chemical Engineering Department

C ELL ENCAPSULATION Encapsulating cells of interest with therapeutic agent in a semi- permeable membrane Implant cell capsules into human Cells release therapeutic substance such as insulin for diabetics C ORE ELEMENT OF RESEARCH BEING BRIDGED INTO CLASSROOM PROJECT

D R. C HENG ’ S LAB : FOCUSED ON CHEMISTRY OF ENCAPSULATION Encapsulation is made from Alginic acid which is insoluble in water/organic solvents and is biocompatible The Alginic acid encapsulation is then covered by the polymer PNIPAM that exhibits controlled variations of permeability

M AKING ENCAPSULATIONS IN THE LAB 1. Make a solution of calcium cholride and water and setup camera 2. Make a solution of alginic acid, water, and turgitol and place in syringe pump

3. Set up syringe pump and voltage source 4. Test electrospray and begin making encapsulations

TEXAS ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS CONCEPTS AND TEKS COVERED IN PROJECT Chemistry Concepts: properties of water, solubility, chemical/physical properties and changes, density and buoyancy, atoms (TEKS 1A, 2A, 2B, 2C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 5A, 6A, (IPC 7A), 12A, 12C) Physics concepts: interpreting graphs, measurements (time, density, mass, volume, buoyant forces, grams released per unit time), semi-permeable membrane, design engineering ( TEKS 1A, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D) AP Biology concepts: Biomedicine (time release), cell encapsulation, cell processes (osmosis/diffusion, semi-permeability), biochemistry (hydrophobic/philic bilayer, chem/phys properties of membrane, chem/phys changes to encapsulation, properties of water), immune system role

C LASSROOM PROJECT Timeline: Cumulative project (7 weeks) Actual design, build, analysis phase (2 weeks) Objective: Lab groups will be defending a cell encapsulation design to a local pharmaceutical representative using knowledge based on research of given materials and data measurements.

C LASSROOM PROJECT Proposal: A local pharmaceutical company is looking for a new way to encapsulate a drug. The actual encapsulation must be- 1. protective of the medicine inside 2. time released 3. selectively-permeable

W HO CARES ?

W HAT IS THE RELEVANCE ? We need drugs on the market that are safe and work properly.

W HAT IS THE RELEVANCE ? About 176,500 people aged 20 years or younger have diabetes. As of 2005, 20.8 million people have diabetes The estimated economic cost of diabetes in 2002 was $132 billion. Of this amount, $92 billion was due to direct medical costs. Diabetics

W HAT IS THE RELEVANCE ? The pharmaceutical industry is a billion dollar industry that has become a necessity in our allopathic culture today.

D ESIGN P HASE Students will be given 5 different semi- permeable materials to test Size restriction A design proposal will be submitted for approval Research: physical and chemical properties of membrane - Do they affect semi- permeability or density? (Chemistry) Bioencapsulations/Immu nosuppression of (AP Biology) Advantages and disadvantages of time released (AP bio/chemistry/physics)

M EASUREMENT PHASE Before building: Time that it takes for small measured amount of Tums to diffuse through each membrane Using ratios decide time for an entire packet of Tums quikpak to dissolve Based on research decide if long or short diffusion is better Rank membranes and choose material(s) nylon Coffee filter burlap fiberglass Pantyhose

M EASUREMENT PHASE Testing of encapsulation: Mass before/after Volume Density : sink, float, or suspended in water Find buoyant forces (physics) Measure mass released per unit time (extrapolate at 2*t, 4*t, 6*t) Selectively permeable?

A NALYSIS PHASE : AFTER TESTING AND DATA REVIEWED, DEFENSES WILL BEGIN Groups must clearly and concisely defend their encapsulation product, design and material, to a local pharmaceutical rep

T HE PROJECT This encapsulation is made out of a double layer of nylon material that is surrounding an embroidery hoop. The “therapeutic agent” that is encapsulated is a Tums quikpak. Time for Tums to diffuse out of encapsulation 2.14 min

This encapsulation is made of a double layer of filter paper surrounding an embroidery hoop and is encapsulating a Tums quikpak. Time for Tums to diffuse out 3.53 min

R UBRIC FOR GRADING Research on material: accurate info taken from reliable sources Design plan: plan is neat with clear measurements and labeling Modification/testin g: clear evidence of troubleshooting, why this material above others Data Collection: data taken several times in careful and reliable manner Construction of materials: materials used in a way that made them even better Function: structure functions as an encapsulation should Science knowledge: defense is clearly articulated and accurate info is given to defend model Aesthetics: structure is neat and attractive and follows plans accurately

Pre and post-test

A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS Dr. Zhengdong Cheng Grad student Andres Mejia Undergrad Lucas Kinard

Dr. Cheryl Page Dr. Karen Butler-Purry Dr. Robin Autenrieth Jacque Hodge Joy Monroe Dr. Andy Conkey Dr. Arun Srinivasa Dr. Jennifer Welch All E3 participants Dr. Chance Lewis

J OYS OF TEACHING Ma and Pa video