Nicholas A. Peppas, Ph.D.

	Elena Losi Ph.D. Student Dipartimento Farmaceutico Viale delle Scienze 27/A 43100 Parma (Italy) tel. +39 0521 905088 fax +39 0521 905006 cell phone: + 39 338 8527838 Email: elosi@nemo.cce.unipr.it
Background
Elena is an Italian PhD student who is spending some time in our laboratory as a Visiting Scientist in our Division of Pharmaceutics. She is doing her PhD with Prof. Paolo Colombo at the University of Parma. Elena is originally from Piacenza, Italy.

Research Summary
My research focuses on the investigation and development of new release modules to be used as components in oral drug delivery systems capable to develop precise control of time response. We are studying novel release systems developed in the laboratory of Professor Paolo Colombo at the University of Parma (the Dome Matrix® technology). The unit matrix is a cylindrical tablet with two curved surfaces, one convex and the other concave. Since the module looks like a dome (see Figure) it is called Dome Matrix®. The delivery modules possess a geometric flexibility since several modules can be assembled to achieve multilevel or multiple drug delivery. These modules are tabletted with special tools and formulated as swellable matrices. The matrix surfaces may be partially coated with an impermeable film to prevent the swelling and drug release from the coated surface. Thus, release kinetics can be altered based on the system developed. In addition, 2 to 6 unit matrices can be assembled, by inserting the convex face in the concavity of a second module, in order to create different systems. Alternatively two modules can be placed facing each other to create a void inside the system that allows it to float when immersed in water.

Presentations
1) “Dome Matrix: Oral Delivery Module for Time and Site Controlled Release” Paolo Colombo, Elena Losi, Chiara Penotti, Dorte Sandaker, M.Chiara Murelli, Ruggero Bettini, AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition, Denver CO, (USA), 21-25 Ottobre 2002. 2) “Surface Shape and Drug Release Kinetics in Hydrophilic Matrices” Elena Losi, Gina Massimo, Ruggero Bettini, Paolo Colombo 2003 AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 26-30 Ottobre 2003. 3) “Influence of Shape of Hydrophilic Matrices on Drug Release Kinetics” Paolo Colombo, Elena Losi, Gina Massimo, Ruggero Bettini European Conference on Drug Delivery and Pharmaceutical Technology, Sevilla (Spain), 10-12 May 2004

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